Biography:
Robert Carl Takac, Jr.was born September 30, 1964 in Buffalo, NY. He grew up with one younger sister (Trish) in the town of West Seneca, a suburb of Buffalo.
A self-confessed "sugar freak," Robby started collecting PEZ in early childhood. Even the near-death experience of choking on a plastic PEZ at the age of five didn't stifle his enthusiasm for the candy. As of August 2006, he has over 1600 dispensers!
Robby's first musical instrument was a eukelele, a gift from his grandmother at the age of two. Throughout his school years, he played a range of instruments, including trombone, bass, and drums. When he graduated West Seneca East High in 1982, Robby's uncle gave him his first electric guitar.
At Medaille College, Robby majored in Communications, with a focus on Radio Broadcasting. He graduated in 1986, and throughout college he played in several bands around the Buffalo music scene. He also interned at a local radio station, eventually working his way up to music director, and worked as a "studio rat" in the Allentown district of Buffalo. Non-musical jobs he's held include telemarketing and delivering pizza and flowers.
Robby was playing in a punk band called the Monarchs when his cousin Paul persuaded him to join a band that he wanted to quit. The band - the Beaumonts - fell apart in 1985, but Robby and his new friend John Rzeznik set out to start a new band, which would become the Goo Goo Dolls.
In the early days, John was terrified to sing, but persistent encouragement from Robby (and turning the lights off) finally persuaded him to develop his vocal talent. As John has become the band's front man and the writer of its "hits," Robby has gracefully taken a more supporting role musically. His high-octane songs bring life to John's ballads, and the two musical styles compliment each other well. Even though Robby only does about one-third of the songs on newer albums, he has always been the motivation and energy behind the band. When the going gets rough, Robby is the one to convince everyone to keep going. His incredible energy, positive personality, and rockin' songs have earned him a loyal fan following and the title of "best kept secret in rock."
Robby isn't content to keep his success for himself - he's determined to share it with the city that reared him. In 2002, he opened ChameleonWest recording studio around the corner from where the Goos' first demo was created. He organized a Music Is Art festival to promote 30 local bands, and is starting a label called Good Charamel to give Buffalo musicians a chance to excel. He's personally done production work for a number of bands and artists, including Last Conservative, Grand National, Fono, and Mikki Howard.
Besides his work with "undiscovered" musicians, he also supports arts education through a number of organizations. He has progressive political views and is not afraid to speak out against war. In fact, an anti-war rant in the fall of 2002 led to the formation of Goo Goo Dolls Fans For Peace, a fan-based organization that he has enthusiastically supported.
Meanwhile, when not on tour or working in Buffalo, Robby lives in Los Angeles with his wife Miyoko, two cats, and his many PEZ dispensers.
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