Goo Goo Dolls are a modern rock band, formed in 1986. They are perhaps most famous for the hit Iris, featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 film City of Angels. Currently, the band consists of three members: Johnny Rzeznik - Vocals, guitar (Founding member) Robby Takac - Vocals, bass (Founding member) Mike Malinin - Drums (Hired in 1995, made official member in 1998).

Founded in Buffalo, New York, the Goo Goo Dolls initially consisted of John Rzeznik, Robby Takac, and George Tutuska, and were known as the "Sex Maggots." The band changed their name to the Goo Goo Dolls (the name was picked out from an ad in a True Detective magazine) at the request of a local club owner who refused to let them play otherwise. They were signed early on by Metal Blade Records and they released their self-titled debut album in 1987.

In their early career, they were often dismissed by critics as Replacements wannabes. While they were embraced by college radio, especially after the release of their third album, Hold Me Up (1990), it was not until 1995, when their single "Name" (from the album A Boy Named Goo) hit the airwaves that the Goo Goo Dolls realized commercial success at last. After a lengthy legal battle with Metal Blade records over royalties that were being withheld from the band, the Goos switched to Metal Blade's parent company, Warner Brothers. In 1998, "Iris" was released on the City of Angels soundtrack and the Goos were propelled to stardom, as the song stayed on the Billboard charts at number one for 18 weeks and was nominated for three Grammys that year.