"Initially hidden, this credit has since come to light: Tim Pierce, who worked with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston among others, considers this song as his ultimate masterpiece"
In the world of music, there are moments that define a career, and for session guitarist Tim Pierce, one such moment came with the Goo Goo Dolls' hit song "Iris." Originally recorded for the 1998 movie City of Angels soundtrack, Pierce's electric guitar and mandolin parts played a significant role in shaping the song's signature sound.
Pierce, who has worked with artists such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Roger Waters, and Meat Loaf, considers his contribution to "Iris" as his magnum opus. The song became a major hit, spending a record 18 weeks at number one on the radio and selling over 14 million copies, with over 4.5 billion streams.
John Rzeznik, the lead vocalist of Goo Goo Dolls, has spoken about Pierce's role in the creation of "Iris" in interviews, praising his unique approach and the impact his contributions had on the song. Pierce's mandolin and electric guitar work helped create the distinctive sound that has become synonymous with "Iris."
Despite the success of "Iris," Pierce did not receive full credit for his work initially. However, his contribution has since been acknowledged, with Pierce himself regarding "Iris" as probably the best record he ever did.
Interestingly, Pierce was able to play a big guitar solo and overdub some mandolin on "Iris" because there was no lead guitar player at the time. This freedom allowed Pierce to experiment and create the unique sound that has made "Iris" a timeless classic.
In a recent interview, Pierce shared his experiences working with Michael Jackson, reflecting on the surprising gear nerd he found behind the pop icon's image. He also reflected on his experiences, including the biggest gig in history, in a YouTube video.
To read the interview in full, it can be found in a copy of our website from Magazines Direct. For those who want to delve deeper into the world of music and the stories behind the songs, this is a must-read.
Tim Pierce helped launch Bon Jovi's career with his off-the-cuff solo on the song "Runaway." However, despite the success of "Runaway," Pierce was never asked to join Bon Jovi full-time. Despite this, his career as a session guitarist continued to flourish, with "Iris" serving as a testament to his talent and impact on the music industry.
In conclusion, Tim Pierce's magnum opus contribution to the "Iris" soundtrack lies in his expertly tracked electric guitar and mandolin parts that helped craft the signature sound of this landmark Goo Goo Dolls hit. His work on "Iris" remains a highlight in his extensive session career and a testament to his talent as a guitarist.
- Tim Pierce's electric guitar and mandolin, played on the Goo Goo Dolls' hit song "Iris," were crucial in shaping the song's signature sound.
- During the recording of "Iris," Pierce lacked a lead guitarist to compete with, affording him the freedom to experiment and create the unique sound that still resonates today.
- Pierce's contributions to songs like "Iris" have cemented his position as a renowned session guitarist in the music industry, earning recognition as a significant influence on popular entertainment.
