John Rzeznik, lead singer of The Goo Goo Dolls, knows he’s about to be crucified. “I’m sure music critics are going to slam me,” says Rzeznik. “Whatever. I’m sick of them. They mean nothing to me or my life. I don’t think I’ve ever sold a record because of something a music critic or music journalist wrote about me. I just want to find a great band.”
The edgy blonde initially turned down an offer to host Fox’s new reality competition, “The Next Great American Band.” But after meeting with the producers – the same high-octane crew in charge of “American Idol” – Rzeznik agreed to become one of the show’s three judges. He’ll sit beside percussionist/performer Sheila E. and “Australian Idol” judge Ian Dickson. “I said, ‘Do I get to speak my mind and tell the truth? And not be fed a bunch of crap that I have to say?’ And they said, ‘You just need to be honest.'”
For Rzeznik, the sudden switch from alternative rock star to mainstream TV celebrity took him by surprise. He says he’s always shunned reality TV, believing it was no place for a serious musician.
“I’m a guy in a band,” says Rzeznik, “and I’ve been in a band for 20 years. So of course I turn my nose up at ‘American Idol.’ I worked my way up to the top.” Rzeznik laughs. “I struggled and clawed.”
Still, Rzeznik believes that the record industry has dropped the ball in finding legitimate new talent and is playing “serious catch-up” with young record buyers. “They didn’t take the Internet seriously,” says Rzeznik. “So they lost an entire generation of people who would’ve bought music online and paid for it. People don’t buy albums anymore. And the record labels could’ve controlled the whole thing. It was a fatal mistake.”
Sixty bands auditioned for the television show, ranging from classic rockers to cowboy crooners. Of those, 12 semifinalists will go on to compete for America’s vote and, ultimately, a record contract. Rzeznik is impressed by what he’s heard so far. “Here’s my prediction: There are no dud acts,” he says. “And more than just the winner is going to get a record deal.”