“I'm not going to lecture people about anything”: Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik criticizes inclusion of political speech in concerts

Rockstar and founder of the band Goo Goo Dolls, John Rzeznik, says that as a musician and entertainer, he prefers not to give political speeches during his live shows. According to Fox News, while speaking with music producer Rick Beato on September 9, 2026, Rzeznik, 60, made it clear that he is not fond of lecturing his fans and audiences about politics, or rather chooses not to do so.

The Black Balloon hitmaker, John Rzeznik, discussed with Beato the importance of live music in today's polarized world. John said that when he is on stage performing, it doesn't matter to him what religion or political party his fans represent.

While mentioning that he would never lecture or give any political speeches during his live shows, Rzeznik shared that people from various walks of life visit his concerts just to listen to his music. As John criticized the inclusion of political speeches during concerts, he said:

"I got people, fans, friends from every walk of life, every political stripe, everything. And I always stress, we got one thing in common because we're living in weird times. We got one thing in common, and that's we're all here to see a show, and I'm not going to lecture people about anything."

According to the New York Post, John Rzeznik's take on lecturing about politics or giving political speeches during live shows is quite similar to that of rock legend and frontman of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger.

The Lonely at the Top singer, Jagger, in an interview with The New York Times a few months back, said pretty much the same thing as what Rzeznik recently said. Jagger is also not fond of making a political statement or lecturing the audience about politics in the middle of concerts.

Jagger's opinion regarding the matter comes after Bruce Springsteen's critical commentary on President Donald Trump during Springsteen's latest music tour. Jagger said:

"The bottom line of my thing really is that my job in the live music world is [for] those people that come is to have the best time they possibly can."

Jagger continued:

"For two hours or whatever it is, to forget all their problems and the problems of the world and their mortgages and whatever, just to give them the best time they can have."

He further noted:

"It’s similar to going to a sports event, really, because everything else is shouted out. You’re just watching who’s going to win. You’re not worrying about everything else. You don’t want to lecture them."

As John Rzeznik criticized the inclusion of political speeches in concerts, he said that Goo Goo Dolls fans should leave their concert feeling happier

During his conversation with Rick Beato, John Rzeznik explained how he wants his fans and audiences to feel better and happier when they leave their live shows. He said:

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"I'm going to play a bunch of songs that, you know, and we're all going to leave here, and we're going to be happier and better for it. That's it."

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