They’re simply Dolls to aid in Griffith Park’s recovery

A decade ago, you probably wouldn’t have wanted the Goo Goo Dolls headlining a concert to benefit a fire-ravaged public park. The band’s steady stream of slow-building sing-along hits -- songs with giant, heart-on-sleeve choruses -- are perfect fodder for prom-night slow dances and lots of lighter-flicking at concerts.

“Thankfully, people use cellphones now,” says Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik, who will lead the Buffalo, N.Y., band as it takes the stage Thursday at the Greek Theatre to raise more money for the Griffith Park Recover Fund, which supports the reforestation of the park around the Greek that was hit hard by wildfires in May. Los Angeles officials have estimated it will cost $50 million to revive the 800 acres that burned.

Thursday’s show is the long-delayed second half of the group’s two-night stint at the Greek that started June 17. After being asked to help with the recovery efforts, the Goo Goos agreed to move the second show to September. Proceeds from the event, which also features pop-punk quintet Relient K, will go to the Recover Fund, created by the Greek Theatre Advisory Committee through the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

Since early August, the Greek has raised $10,000, largely through auctions. Alex Hodges, chief operating officer of Nederlander Concerts, which books and manages the city-owned Greek, said the facility has expanded its season from 55 to 60 concerts to 71 this year, hoping to add revenue for the parks department.

Rzeznik, a Los Angeles resident for the past decade, felt particularly motivated to help because he was able to see the fires from his home.

“This is one of the only things we’ve ever done in L.A. to support the community,” Rzeznik says. “We’re always doing stuff in Buffalo, but Los Angeles is our adopted home. It’s nice to do something for the community rather than just live here and reap all the benefits of it.”

-- Todd Martens