"Through the years, the credit was hidden but is now revealed: Tim Pierce's musical partnerships with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston are well-known, yet this particular song stands as his greatest accomplishment"
In the world of music, the name Tim Pierce has become synonymous with some of the most iconic tracks of the last few decades. One such song is "Iris," the hit single by the Goo Goo Dolls, which has stood the test of time and remains a staple on radio playlists[1].
At first, Pierce's role in the creation of "Iris" was somewhat obscured, but over time, his contributions have come to light. In the late 1990s, he was brought in to record the electric guitar and mandolin parts for the song, adding a unique layer to its sound[1][2].
Pierce's work on "Iris" has been widely praised, with John Rzeznik, the guitarist and vocalist of the Goo Goo Dolls, often talking about his contribution in interviews[2]. The song's success can be attributed, in part, to Pierce's expertise, as well as the band's lack of a lead guitar player at the time[3].
Pierce's career is a testament to his talent as a session guitarist. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Roger Waters, and Meat Loaf[4]. His most notable achievement, however, might just be the off-the-cuff solo he played on Bon Jovi's "Runaway," which helped launch the band's career[5].
Despite the success of "Runaway," Pierce was never asked to join Bon Jovi full-time. Instead, he has continued to work on numerous records, playing on some of the most memorable tracks of the past few decades[6].
One of Pierce's most memorable performances was on "Iris," where he played a big guitar solo and overdubbed some mandolin[1][2]. The song spent an astonishing 18 weeks at number one on radio and has sold over 14 million copies globally, making it just outside the top 10 best-selling singles of all time[1].
"Iris" even held the record for the most airplay for approximately 18 months[1]. For Pierce, this collaboration with the Goo Goo Dolls is his magnum opus, a testament to his talent and the enduring popularity of "Iris."
To read more about Tim Pierce and his incredible career, head to Magazines Direct[7].
[1] https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8597391/goo-goo-dolls-iris-30th-anniversary [2] https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tim-pierce-discusses-his-work-on-goo-goo-dolls-iris [3] https://www.musicradar.com/news/tim-pierce-talks-about-his-work-on-goo-goo-dolls-iris [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Pierce [5] https://www.ultimateclassicrock.com/bon-jovi-runaway-solo/ [6] https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tim-pierce-mn0001884723 [7] https://www.magazinesdirect.com/tim-pierce-interview
Tim Pierce's work on the electric guitar and mandolin for the Goo Goo Dolls' song "Iris" added a unique layer to its sound and was overdubbed in the late 1990s. His contributions, which led to one of the most memorable guitar solos in the track, helped the song achieve commercial success with an astonishing 18 weeks at number one on radio and over 14 million copies sold globally. Pierce's impressive list of collaborations includes celebrities like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, and Bon Jovi, with his off-the-cuff solo on Bon Jovi's "Runaway" being a notable achievement. Tim Pierce's session guitar work, such as his collaboration with the Goo Goo Dolls on "Iris," has made him a respected name in the entertainment industry and the music world.
