Jump to content

Billie Joe Armstrong: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
Restoring better image previously used to infobox, I recommend discussing on the talk page before changing per WP:BRD
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American rock musician (born 1972)}}
{{Pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| image = GreenDayIOW230624 (307 of 367) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Armstrong performing at the [[Isle of Wight Festival]] 2024
| image_size =
| alias = {{hlist|Fink|Wilhelm Fink|Reverend Strychnine Twitch}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|02|17}}
| birth_place = [[Oakland, California]], U.S.
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* musician
* songwriter
* actor
* businessman
}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Adrienne Nesser|1994|}}
}}
| partner = <!--partner parameter is for unmarried life partners, not dating or fiances-->
| children = 2
| relatives = [[Steve Nesser]] (brother-in-law)
| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Green Day|Full list]]
| signature = File:Billie Joe Armstrong signature.svg
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed=yes
| instrument = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* guitar
<!-- only most commonly used instruments -->
}}
| years_active = 1987–present
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Punk rock]]
* [[pop-punk]]
* [[alternative rock]]
* [[New wave music|new wave]]
* [[garage rock]]
* [[power pop]]
* [[skate punk]]
* [[hardcore punk]]<ref name="egerdahl">{{cite book |last1=Egerdahl |first1=Kjersti |title=Green Day: A Musical Biography |date=2010 |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=9780313365973 |page=23 |quote=Armstrong briefly played guitar in the hardcore band Corrupted Morals, another Lookout! band.}}</ref>
}}
| label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Green Day]]
* [[Pinhead Gunpowder]]
* [[the Network]]
* [[Foxboro Hot Tubs]]
* [[the Coverups]]
* [[The Longshot (band)|the Longshot]]
* the Armstrongs
* the Boo
* the Upside Downers
}}
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* Desecrated Youth<ref name="altpress16">{{cite web |last1=Darus |first1=Alex |title=Billie Joe Armstrong rocking a backyard gig at 16 is straight punk |url=https://www.altpress.com/billie-joe-armstrong-punk-band-16/ |website=Alternative Press |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819164034/https://www.altpress.com/billie-joe-armstrong-punk-band-16/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Corrupted Morals<ref name="egerdahl"/>
}}
| website =
}}
}}
'''Billie Joe Armstrong''' (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician and actor. He is best known for being the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band [[Green Day]], which he co-founded with [[Mike Dirnt]] in 1987. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for the [[punk rock]] band [[Pinhead Gunpowder]], and provides lead vocals for Green Day's side projects [[Foxboro Hot Tubs]], [[the Network]], [[The Longshot (band)|the Longshot]] and [[the Coverups]]. Armstrong has been considered by critics as one of the greatest punk rock guitarists of all time.<ref name="foguitar">{{cite web |title=From Sex Pistols to The Clash: Punk rock's 10 greatest guitarists of all time |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/punk-10-greatest-guitarists-ramones-clash-sex-pistols/ |website=[[Far Out (magazine)|Far Out]] |date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218131323/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/punk-10-greatest-guitarists-ramones-clash-sex-pistols/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2022 |title=20 greatest punk-rock guitarists of all time |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/best-punk-rock-guitarists-steve-jones-joan-jett/ |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=Alternative Press |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508154134/https://www.altpress.com/features/best-punk-rock-guitarists-steve-jones-joan-jett/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2020 |title=The 100 greatest guitarists of all time |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/9 |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=Guitar World |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508154134/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/9 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Armstrong developed an interest in music at a young age, and recorded his first song at the age of five. He met Dirnt while attending elementary school, and the two instantly bonded over their mutual interest in music, forming the band Sweet Children when the two were 14 years old. The band later changed its name to Green Day. Armstrong has also pursued musical projects including numerous collaborations with other musicians.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong has acted in several films and TV series, including ''[[Like Sunday, Like Rain]]'', ''[[Ordinary World (film)|Ordinary World]]'', ''[[King of the Hill]]'', ''[[Haunted (2002 TV series)|Haunted]]'', and ''[[Drunk History]]''. In addition to co-writing the book and lyrics for ''[[American Idiot (musical)|American Idiot]]'', a [[jukebox musical]] featuring several of Green Day's songs, Armstrong portrayed the role of St. Jimmy in the show for several weeks during its run on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]].
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong's business ventures include founding [[Adeline Records]] to help support other bands in 1997, coinciding with the release of ''[[Nimrod (album)|Nimrod]]''. Adeline signed acts such as [[the Frustrators]], [[AFI (band)|AFI]], and [[Dillinger Four]]. The record company shut down two decades later in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigbombopunk.com/en/entrevistas/2013/12/17/adeline-records/|title=Entrevista con Adeline Records|author=Cazza|work=bigbombopunk.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810073153/http://www.bigbombopunk.com/en/entrevistas/2013/12/17/adeline-records/|archive-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> Armstrong also co-founded [[Punk Bunny Coffee]] (formerly Oakland Coffee Works) in 2015.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
==Early life==
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong was born in [[Oakland, California]],<ref>{{cite AV media | title = Driven: Green Day | medium = VH1 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz0rCuUX5D0 | access-date = February 23, 2015 | time = 2:05 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151031162458/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz0rCuUX5D0 | archive-date = October 31, 2015 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> on February 17, 1972,<ref name="17 February 2016">{{cite web|last1=Else|first1=Loren|title=Today in History: Yellow ribbons tied on trees and light standards|url=http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/today-in-history-yellow-ribbons-tied-on-trees-and-light/article_53eba0ad-b363-5e4b-bfe9-0257710345e2.html|website=Post Bulletin|date=February 17, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> the youngest of six children of Ollie Jackson (born 1932)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/05/13/sons-on-a-roll-but-moms-the-rock/|title=Son's on a roll, but mom's the rock|work=[[East Bay Times]]|date=May 13, 2007|access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713044513/https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/05/13/sons-on-a-roll-but-moms-the-rock/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Andrew Marsicano Armstrong (1928–1982).<ref name=RS>[[Colapinto, John]] (November 17, 2005), "[http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/85/1/ Working Class Heroes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710233029/http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/85/1/ |date=July 10, 2012 }}". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. (987):50–56</ref> He was raised in [[Rodeo, California]]. His father, a jazz musician and truck driver for [[Safeway]], died of [[esophageal cancer]] on September 10, 1982, when Armstrong was 10 years old.<ref name=RS/> The song "[[Wake Me Up When September Ends]]" is a memorial to his father. Armstrong has five siblings, including three older sisters, Marci, Hollie, and Anna, and two older brothers, David and Alan. His mother worked as a waitress at Rod's Hickory Pit in [[El Cerrito, California]], where he and [[Mike Dirnt]] later played their first gig in 1987.<ref name=RS/> His great-great-grandparents Pietro Marsicano and Teresa Nigro were Italian immigrants from [[Viggiano]], who settled in [[Boston]] prior to relocating to [[Berkeley, California]], in 1869.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/02/16/news/potenza_il_leader_dei_green_day_e_di_origini_lucane-188983065/ |title=Potenza, il leader dei Green Day è di origini lucane |work=la Repubblica |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173845/http://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/02/16/news/potenza_il_leader_dei_green_day_e_di_origini_lucane-188983065/ |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong attended Hillcrest Elementary School in Rodeo, where a teacher encouraged him to record a song titled "Look for Love" at the age of five<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/hear-5-year-old-billie-joe-armstrong-look-for-love/|title=Hear 5-Year-Old Billie Joe Armstrong Singing 'Look for Love'|author=Childers, Chad|publisher=LoudWire|date=July 19, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716205840/https://loudwire.com/hear-5-year-old-billie-joe-armstrong-look-for-love/|url-status=live}}</ref> on the [[Bay Area]] label Fiat Records.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recordmecca.com/view_item.aspx?id=82 |title=Look for Love |publisher=Record Mecca |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721124647/http://www.recordmecca.com/view_item.aspx?id=82 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> After his father died, his mother married a man whom her children disliked, which resulted in Armstrong's further retreat into music.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} At the age of 10, he met future bandmate [[Mike Dirnt]] in the school cafeteria, and they immediately bonded over their love of music.<ref name=RS/> He became interested in [[punk rock]] after being introduced to the genre by his brothers.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Armstrong, Billie Joe | year=2005 | title=The Sex Pistols | magazine=Rolling Stone | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7235474/58_the__pistols | access-date=October 28, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520012914/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7235474/58_the__pistols | archive-date=May 20, 2009 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> He has cited [[Van Halen]], [[Ramones]], [[The Replacements (band)|the Replacements]], and [[Hüsker Dü]] as musical influences. The first concert he ever attended was Van Halen in 1984. After Hillcrest Elementary, Armstrong attended Carquinez Middle School and [[John Swett High School]], both in [[Crockett, California]], and later transferred to [[Pinole Valley High School]] in [[Pinole, California]]. On his 18th birthday, he dropped out to pursue a musical career.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
==Career==
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1987, aged 15, Armstrong formed a band called Sweet Children with his childhood friend [[Mike Dirnt]]. In the beginning, Armstrong and Dirnt both played guitar, with Raj Punjabi<ref name="youtube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17qdMUdvVvM|title=YouTube|via=YouTube|date=January 26, 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216090341/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17qdMUdvVvM|archive-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> on drums<ref name="metropolis">{{cite web |url=http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyomusicconcerts/concert/359/tokyomusicconcertsinc.htm |title=Metropolis – Music and Concerts: Green Day |publisher=Archive.metropolis.co.jp |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102214651/http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyomusicconcerts/concert/359/tokyomusicconcertsinc.htm |archive-date=November 2, 2013 }}</ref> and [[Sean Hughes (musician)|Sean Hughes]] on bass. Punjabi was later replaced on drums by [[John Kiffmeyer]], also known as Al Sobrante. After a few performances, Hughes left the band in 1988; Dirnt then began playing bass and they became a three-piece band. They changed their name to Green Day in April 1989, choosing the name because of their fondness for [[marijuana]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1997442,00.html |title=10 Questions for Billie Joe Armstrong |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=June 28, 2010 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817114314/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1997442,00.html |archive-date=August 17, 2013 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1989, Green Day released their debut EP ''[[1,000 Hours]]'' through [[Lookout! Records]]. They recorded their debut studio album ''[[39/Smooth]]'' and the extended play ''[[Slappy]]'' in 1990, which were later combined with ''1,000 Hours'' into the compilation ''[[1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours]]'' in 1991.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1990, Armstrong provided lead guitar and backing vocals on three songs for [[the Lookouts]]' final EP ''[[IV (The Lookouts album)|IV]]'', which featured [[Tré Cool]] on drums. Tré became Green Day's drummer in late 1990 after Sobrante left to go to college. Cool made his debut on Green Day's second album, ''[[Kerplunk (album)|Kerplunk]]'' (1991).
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1991, Armstrong joined the band [[Pinhead Gunpowder]], consisting of bassist [[Bill Schneider (musician)|Bill Schneider]], drummer [[Aaron Cometbus]], and fellow vocalist/guitarist Sarah Kirsch. Kirsch left the group in 1992, and was replaced by [[Jason White (Green Day guitarist)|Jason White]]. The group has released several extended plays and albums from 1991 to the present, and performs live shows on an intermittent basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/bands/pinheadgunpowder|title=Pinhead Gunpowder|access-date=May 5, 2018|website=Punk News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731200450/https://www.punknews.org/bands/pinheadgunpowder|archive-date=July 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1993, Armstrong played live several times with California punk band [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]]. Rancid's lead singer, [[Tim Armstrong]], asked Billie Joe Armstrong to join his band, but he refused due to his progress with Green Day. However, Billie Joe Armstrong was credited as a co-writer on Rancid's 1993 song, [[Radio Radio Radio|Radio]].
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
With their third LP, ''[[Dookie]]'' (1994), Green Day broke through into the mainstream, and have remained one of the most popular rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s with over 60 million records sold worldwide.<ref>Myers, Ben. "[http://www.disinfo.com/site/displayarticle15670.html Green Day: American Idiot and the New Punk Explosion] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011103336/http://www.disinfo.com/site/displayarticle15670.html |date=October 11, 2007 }}" April 2006.</ref> The album was followed by ''[[Insomniac (Green Day album)|Insomniac]]'' (1995), ''[[Nimrod (album)|Nimrod]]'' (1997), and ''[[Warning (Green Day album)|Warning]]'' (2000).
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong collaborated with many artists. He co-wrote [[the Go-Go's]] 2001 song "[[Unforgiven (The Go-Go's song)|Unforgiven]]". He has also co-written songs with [[Penelope Houston]] ("The Angel and The Jerk" and "New Day"), and sung backing vocals with [[Melissa Auf der Maur]] on [[Ryan Adams]]' "Do Miss America" (where they acted as the backing band for [[Iggy Pop]] on his album ''[[Skull Ring]]'' ("Private Hell" and "Supermarket"). Armstrong produced an album for [[the Riverdales]]. He was part of the Green Day side project [[the Network]] from 2003 to 2005, which became active again in 2020. The Network released two albums: 2003's ''[[Money Money 2020]]'' and 2020's ''[[Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!]]''.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Hoping to clear his head and develop new ideas for songs, Armstrong traveled to New York City alone for a few weeks in 2003, renting a small apartment in the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]] of [[Manhattan]].<ref name="Spitz150">Spitz, 2006. pg. 150</ref> He spent much of this time taking long walks and participating in jam sessions in the basement of Hi-Fi, a bar in Manhattan.<ref name="Spitz151">Spitz, 2006. pg. 151</ref> However, the friends he made during this time drank too much for his liking, which was the catalyst for Armstrong's return to the [[Bay Area]].<ref name="Spitz151" /> After returning home, Armstrong was arrested for driving under the influence on January 5, 2003, and released on $1,200 bail.<ref name="Spitz151" />
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day (199862242).jpg|thumb|upright|Armstrong performing in 2005]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2004, Green Day debuted ''[[American Idiot]]'', their first [[rock opera]]. The album has sold more than 15,000,000 copies worldwide, fueled by the hit singles "[[American Idiot (song)|American Idiot]]", "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]" and "[[Wake Me Up When September Ends]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|title=Green Day's American Idiot|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumrevews/american-idiot-20040930|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York City|date=September 30, 2004|access-date=January 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303205804/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/american-idiot-20040930|archive-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref> In 2009, Green Day released ''[[21st Century Breakdown]]'', the band's second rock opera, which was another commercial success.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|title=Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/21st-century-breakdown-20090427|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 27, 2009|access-date=January 15, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305132919/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/21st-century-breakdown-20090427|archive-date=March 5, 2013}}</ref> Between these two projects, Armstrong was the lead vocalist of the Green Day side project [[Foxboro Hot Tubs]], who formed in 2007 and have performed intermittent live shows ever since. Foxboro Hot Tubs released one album, ''[[Stop Drop and Roll!!!]]'', in 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Green Day Side Project Releases New Single|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-239-1325833|date=April 1, 2008|magazine=[[NME]]|access-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912012739/http://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-239-1325833|archive-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Foxboro Hot Tubs--Stop Drop and Roll!!! (2008)|first=Aubin|last=Paul|url=https://www.punknews.org/review/7264/foxboro-hot-tubs-stop-drop-and-roll|date=May 6, 2008|publisher=Punk News|access-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912060502/https://www.punknews.org/review/7264/foxboro-hot-tubs-stop-drop-and-roll|archive-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2009, Armstrong formed a band called [[Rodeo Queens]], along with members of [[Green Day]] and NYC punk rocker [[Jesse Malin]]. They released one song, along with a video, called "Depression Times".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Alex |title=Check Out: Rodeo Queens (Green Day + Jesse Malin) – 'Depression Times' |url=https://consequence.net/2010/12/check-out-rodeo-queens-green-day-jesse-malin-depression-times/ |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016021246/https://consequence.net/2010/12/check-out-rodeo-queens-green-day-jesse-malin-depression-times/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2009, ''American Idiot'' was adapted into a [[Broadway musical]], also called ''[[American Idiot (musical)|American Idiot]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Downs |first=David |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/eastbay/punk-rock-opera/Content?oid=1370982 |title=Review of ''American Idiot'' |date=September 2, 2009 |publisher=Eastbayexpress.com |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809023303/https://eastbayexpress.com/punk-rock-opera-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The musical won two [[Tony Awards]]. Armstrong appeared in ''American Idiot'' in the role of St. Jimmy for two stints in late 2010<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/956025/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-makes-american-idiot-debut |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Makes ''American Idiot'' Debut |first=Jason |last=Lipshutz |magazine=Billboard |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=September 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629053055/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/956025/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-makes-american-idiot-debut |archive-date=June 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/143434-PHOTO-CALL-Billie-Joe-Armstrong-Debuts-in-Broadways-American-Idiot |title=Billie Joe Armstrong Debuts in Broadway's ''American Idiot'' |first=Matthew |last=Blank |work=Playbill |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=September 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002211542/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/143434-PHOTO-CALL-Billie-Joe-Armstrong-Debuts-in-Broadways-American-Idiot |archive-date=October 2, 2010 }}</ref> and early 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Billie_Joe_Armstrong_to_Return_to_AMERICAN_IDIOT_Jan_1_20101130|title=Billie Joe Armstrong to Return to American Idiot|website=Broadway World|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228081746/http://broadwayworld.com/article/Billie_Joe_Armstrong_to_Return_to_AMERICAN_IDIOT_Jan_1_20101130|archive-date=December 28, 2010}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2012, Green Day released a trio of albums: ''[[¡Uno!]]'', ''[[¡Dos!]]'', and ''[[¡Tré!]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Green Day To Release First Disc In Album Trilogy This September|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/green-day-new-album-uno-dos-tre-billie-joe-armstrong-311227|date=April 11, 2012|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035105/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/green-day-new-album-uno-dos-tre-billie-joe-armstrong-311227|archive-date=May 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Armstrong appeared on Season 3 of NBC's ''[[The Voice (U.S.)|The Voice]]'' as an assistant mentor for [[Christina Aguilera]]'s team.<ref>[http://metronews.ca/scene/312939/billie-joe-armstrong-joins-nbcs-voice-as-mentor/] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2013, Armstrong and singer-songwriter [[Norah Jones]] released the album ''[[Foreverly]]'', consisting of covers of songs from [[the Everly Brothers]]' album ''[[Songs Our Daddy Taught Us]]''.<ref name="stereogum">{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1534781/qa-billie-joe-armstrong-norah-jones-unveil-duets-lp-hear-long-time-gone/franchises/interview/ |title=Q&A: Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones Unveil Duets LP + Hear 'Long Time Gone' |first=T. Cole |last=Rachel |work=[[Stereogum]] |date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=October 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404163327/http://www.stereogum.com/1534781/qa-billie-joe-armstrong-norah-jones-unveil-duets-lp-hear-long-time-gone/franchises/interview/ |archive-date=April 4, 2014 }}</ref> The first single from the album, "Long Time Gone", was released on October 23.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
===2012 substance abuse===
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
On September 21, 2012, during a Green Day performance at Las Vegas' [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]], Armstrong became agitated onstage and stopped the band's set midway through their performance of the 1994 hit song "[[Basket Case (song)|Basket Case]]". In an expletive-filled rant, Armstrong criticized the event's promoters for allegedly cutting short the band's performance, before smashing his guitar and storming off stage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/live/green-day-epic-punk-tantrum-becomes-talk-iheartradio-170318701.html |title=Green Day's Epic Punk Tantrum Becomes The Talk of iHeartRadio Festival, Day 1 &#124; Maximum Performance (NEW) – Yahoo Music |publisher=Yahoo! Music |date=September 22, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103105647/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/live/green-day-epic-punk-tantrum-becomes-talk-iheartradio-170318701.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 }}</ref> The band later issued a statement apologizing for the incident and clarifying that their set had not actually been cut short.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/celebrity-news/index.ssf/2012/09/green_days_billie_joe_armstron.html |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has onstage meltdown, will seek treatment: Favorite People |work=The Oregonian |date=September 24, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103070521/http://www.oregonlive.com/celebrity-news/index.ssf/2012/09/green_days_billie_joe_armstron.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 }}</ref> The incident occurred just four days prior to the release of Green Day's ninth studio album, ''[[¡Uno!]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Sperounes |first=Sandra |url=http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2012/09/24/album-review-green-days-uno/ |title=Album review: Green Day's ¡Uno! &#124; Edmonton Journal |publisher=Blogs.edmontonjournal.com |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101201158/http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2012/09/24/album-review-green-days-uno/ |archive-date=November 1, 2013 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Two days after the incident at the [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]], Green Day announced that Armstrong was seeking treatment for an unspecified substance abuse problem.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenday.com/news/news-70741 |title=NEWS – Green Day Official News |publisher=Greenday.com |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105000407/http://www.greenday.com/news/news-70741 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Billie Joe Armstrong enters treatment">{{cite web | url=http://www.upvenue.com/article/1684-billie-joe-armstrong-seeks-substance-abuse-treatment.html | title=Billie Joe Armstrong Seeks Substance Abuse Treatment | date=September 23, 2011 | access-date=September 23, 2012 | work=UpVenue | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927015752/http://www.upvenue.com/article/1684-billie-joe-armstrong-seeks-substance-abuse-treatment.html | archive-date=September 27, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> As a result, scheduled appearances on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' and ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' were canceled.<ref>{{cite news |last=Martens |first=Todd |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-rant-las-vegas-rehab-20120923,0,6169013.story |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong rants in Las Vegas, off to rehab |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 24, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106030459/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-rant-las-vegas-rehab-20120923,0,6169013.story |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}</ref> According to Claudia Suarez Wright, Tre Cool's ex-wife and the mother of Armstrong's godson, Armstrong had been drinking heavily in Las Vegas prior to the [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]], following approximately one year of sobriety.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/green-day/66329 |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong had been 'drinking a lot' the night of his breakdown |work=NME |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102123203/http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/66329 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_21628360/hicks-billie-joe-armstrong-was-sober-year-until |title=Hicks: Billie Joe Armstrong was sober for a year until last weekend – San Jose Mercury News |work=Mercury News |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102035701/http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_21628360/hicks-billie-joe-armstrong-was-sober-year-until |archive-date=November 2, 2013 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong gave an interview to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in March 2013 in which he said that he had "been trying to get sober since 1997, right around ''Nimrod''".<ref name="rs2013">{{cite magazine|last1=Fricke|first1=David|title=Billie Joe Armstrong: The Rolling Stone Interview|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-rolling-stone-interview-billie-joe-armstrong-20130314|access-date=January 5, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 14, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106010314/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-rolling-stone-interview-billie-joe-armstrong-20130314|archive-date=January 6, 2017}}</ref> He discussed how, during the 21st Century Breakdown tour of 2009–2010, "There were meltdowns on that tour that were huge".<ref name="rs2013" /> Armstrong detailed his addiction, in particular how it had escalated in the months prior to the release of the ''¡Uno!'', ''¡Dos!'', and ''¡Tre!'' albums and the performance at iHeartRadio, stating that during the band's 2011 summer tour of Europe, "I was at my pill-taking height at that time, medicating the shit out of myself".<ref name="ReferenceA">RollingStoneMagazine-issue-1178-March14-2013-Pg39</ref> Armstrong gave details of a gig at Irving Plaza in New York just over a week before the iHeartRadio incident, in which he "Threw back four or five beers before we went on and probably had four or five when we played. Then I drank my body weight in alcohol after that. I ended up hungover on the West Side Highway, laying in a little park."<ref name="ReferenceA" />
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Green Day canceled all remaining concert dates for 2012 and early 2013 as Armstrong continued dealing with his personal problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2012/10/29/20315706-wenn-story.html|title=CANOE – JAM! Music: Green Day scrap upcoming tour|publisher=Jam.canoe.ca|access-date=November 25, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115065452/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2012/10/29/20315706-wenn-story.html|archive-date=January 15, 2013}}</ref> In late December 2012, the band announced they would return to touring at the end of March 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/02/16300249-green-day-announce-return-to-touring-in-march?lite | title=Green Day announce return to touring in March | first=Chris | last=Michaud | date=January 2, 2013 | access-date=January 11, 2013 | publisher=NBC News | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105013113/http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/02/16300249-green-day-announce-return-to-touring-in-march?lite | archive-date=January 5, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Armstrong later said that the substances he had been abusing were alcohol and prescription pills for anxiety and insomnia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2013/02/billie_joe_armstrong_rehab_1.html |title=Billie Joe Armstrong on pill-popping: Backpack sounded like 'giant baby's rattle' |work=The Star-Ledger |date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103224438/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2013/02/billie_joe_armstrong_rehab_1.html |archive-date=November 3, 2013 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
===2013 onward===
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:RiP2013 GreenDay Billie Joe Armstrong 0021.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Armstrong in 2013]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong also collaborated with the comedy hip hop group [[Lonely Island]] in their song "I Run NY" from ''[[The Wack Album]]'' released on June 7, 2013.<ref name="Lonely Island's The Wack Album">{{cite web|title=Lonely Island's The Wack Album|url=http://laist.com/2013/06/08/the_lonely_islands_record_release_p.php|publisher=Laist.com|access-date=June 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611022951/http://laist.com/2013/06/08/the_lonely_islands_record_release_p.php|archive-date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> He starred alongside [[Leighton Meester]] in the 2014 film ''[[Like Sunday, Like Rain]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yamato|first=Jen|title=Leighton Meester, Billie Joe Armstrong, Debra Messing To Star in Frank Whaley's 'Like Sunday, Like Rain'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/leighton-meester-billie-joe-armstrong-debra-messing-to-star-in-frank-whaleys-like-sunday-like-rain-590319/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=September 18, 2013|date=September 19, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920005318/http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/leighton-meester-billie-joe-armstrong-debra-messing-to-star-in-frank-whaleys-like-sunday-like-rain/|archive-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref> For his work in the film, Bilie Joe won the Breakout Performance Award at the 2014 Williamsburg Independent Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.willfilm.org/Winners|title=2014 Info|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516014629/http://www.willfilm.org/Winners|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=May 15, 2018}}</ref> Armstrong wrote songs for ''These Paper Bullets'', a rock musical adaptation of ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'', which premiered at [[Yale Repertory Theater]] in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/billie-joe-armstrong-to-write-songs-for-yale-repertory-theater-show/ | title=Billie Joe Armstrong to Write Songs for Yale Repertory Theater Show | first=Patrick | last=Healy | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 14, 2013 | access-date=March 15, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317011759/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/billie-joe-armstrong-to-write-songs-for-yale-repertory-theater-show/ | archive-date=March 17, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2014, Armstrong joined [[The Replacements (band)|the Replacements]] for a number of shows beginning on April 19 at [[Coachella]]. Frontman [[Paul Westerberg]] had been suffering with back problems and spent the majority of the gig lying on a sofa while Armstrong helped play his parts. Westerberg referred to Billie Joe as an "expansion of the band".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-joins-the-replacements-at-coachella-20140419|title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Joins the Replacements at Coachella|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 19, 2014|access-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314032623/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-joins-the-replacements-at-coachella-20140419|archive-date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Armstrong joined the Replacements on stage again at the [[Shaky Knees Music Festival]] in Atlanta in May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1680996/the-replacements-played-another-festival-set-with-billie-joe-armstrong/video/|title=The Replacements Played Another Festival Set With Billie Joe Armstrong|work=Stereogum|access-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108051107/http://www.stereogum.com/1680996/the-replacements-played-another-festival-set-with-billie-joe-armstrong/video/|archive-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In November 2014, Armstrong moved with his son Joseph to New York<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iconosquare.com/viewer.php#/detail/904546794228595243_1481313501|title=Log in — Instagram|work=iconosquare.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and began working on another acting role, in the film ''[[Ordinary World (film)|Ordinary World]]''. It was Armstrong's first lead acting role. The film centers on the mid-life crisis of a husband and father who attempts to revisit his punk past, and was released in 2016. It included new songs written and performed by Armstrong.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/judy-greer-fred-armisen-billie-joe-armstrong-geezer-1201352793/|title=Judy Greer, Fred Armisen Join Billie Joe Armstrong in 'Geezer' (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Dave McNary|work=Variety|date=November 10, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119181843/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/judy-greer-fred-armisen-billie-joe-armstrong-geezer-1201352793/|archive-date=January 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-role-upcoming-film-geezer/|title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Lands Role in 'Geezer'|work=Loudwire|date=November 12, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211714/http://loudwire.com/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-role-upcoming-film-geezer/|archive-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> The film got mixed reviews, although Armstrong's own performance was generally praised, with ''[[The Village Voice]]'' writing that he had "a low-key charm suggesting that, if he desired it, he could get more onscreen gigs in between albums."<ref>{{cite news |title= Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Is Entirely Credible Acting in the Comic Drama 'Ordinary World' |url= https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/10/12/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-is-entirely-credible-acting-in-the-comic-drama-ordinary-world/ |first=Michael |last=Nordine |date= October 12, 2016 |newspaper=The Village Voice |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014532/https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/10/12/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-is-entirely-credible-acting-in-the-comic-drama-ordinary-world/ |archive-date=February 14, 2018 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In October 2016, Green Day released their album ''[[Revolution Radio]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/67465-green-day-announce-new-album-revolution-radio/ |title= Green Day Announce New Album Revolution Radio |first= Jazz |last= Monroe |date= August 11, 2016 |website= Pitchfork|access-date= May 5, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035155/https://pitchfork.com/news/67465-green-day-announce-new-album-revolution-radio/ |archive-date= May 6, 2018 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}</ref> In July 2017, Armstrong formed a [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] with [[Tim Armstrong]] of [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]], named the Armstrongs.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.spin.com/2017/07/green-day-rancid-billie-joe-tim-armstrongs-supergroup/ |title=Billie Joe and Tim Armstrong Form Punk Supergroup 'The Armstrongs' |magazine=Spin (magazine)|date=July 14, 2017 |access-date=July 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715125257/http://www.spin.com/2017/07/green-day-rancid-billie-joe-tim-armstrongs-supergroup/ |archive-date=July 15, 2017 |last1=Cush |first1=Andy }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In April 2018, Armstrong formed the rock band [[The Longshot (band)|the Longshot]], and on April 20, the band released their debut studio album ''[[Love Is for Losers]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/04/the-longshot-billie-joe-armstrong-love-is-for-losers-stream/ |title=Billie Joe Armstrong's New Band The Longshot Release First Full Album:Listen |first=Winston |last=Cook-Wilson |date=April 20, 2018 |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)]]|access-date=April 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032216/https://www.spin.com/2018/04/the-longshot-billie-joe-armstrong-love-is-for-losers-stream/ |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after, Armstrong announced that he and the Longshot would embark on a summer tour. Aside from Armstrong, the band's lineup consists of Kevin Preston and David S. Field of the band [[Prima Donna (American band)|Prima Donna]] on lead guitar and drums, respectively, and longtime Green Day live member Jeff Matika on bass.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/billie_joe_armstrong_the_longshot_summer_tour_dates_2018 |title=Billie Joe Armstrong's New Band, The Longshot, Announce Summer Tour |first=Maggie |last=Dickman |date=April 20, 2018 |magazine=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |access-date=April 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424075030/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/billie_joe_armstrong_the_longshot_summer_tour_dates_2018 |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 2019, Armstrong co-wrote and performed the track "Strangers & Thieves" on the album ''[[Sunset Kids]]'' by [[Jesse Malin]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hudak |first1=Joseph |title=Jesse Malin and Lucinda Williams Celebrate Hard-Fought Survival on 'Sunset Kids' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/jesse-malin-sunset-kids-review-lucinda-williams-878565/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003220614/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/jesse-malin-sunset-kids-review-lucinda-williams-878565/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In February 2020, Green Day released their thirteenth album, ''[[Father of All Motherfuckers]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/father-of-all-mw0003318931 | title=Green Day - Father of All | work=AllMusic | access-date=January 24, 2024 | author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas | author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine | archive-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124235235/https://www.allmusic.com/album/father-of-all-mw0003318931 | url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Green Day's fourteenth album, [[Saviors (album)|''Saviors'']], was released on January 19, 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/saviors-mw0004124667 | title=Green Day - Saviors | work=AllMusic | access-date=January 24, 2024 | author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas | author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine | archive-date=January 19, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119211043/https://www.allmusic.com/album/saviors-mw0004124667 | url-status=live }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
==Artistry==
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong is known for his frequent use of palm-muted, power chord-driven guitar riffs, and melodic guitar solos. His strumming style makes use of techniques such as stubbing and fret hand muting, which allows him to strum power chords harder while attacking all six strings on the guitar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=editorspublished |first=Total Guitar |date=May 22, 2020 |title=How to play guitar like Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/how-to-play-guitar-like-green-days-billie-joe-armstrong |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=guitarworld |language=en}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
==Instruments==
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:GreenDayIOW230624 (349 of 367) (53818595929) Cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Armstrong performing with his original "Blue" in 2024]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:Billie Joe Armstrong - Green Day.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Armstrong performing with [[Fender (company)|Fender]] "Blue" replica in 2010]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong's first guitar was a Cherry Red Hohner acoustic, which his father bought for him. He received his first electric guitar, a [[Fernandes Guitars|Fernandes The Revival RST-50 Stratocaster]] that he named "Blue", when he was ten years old in 1982, the same year his father died. His mother got "Blue" from [[George Cole (musician)|George Cole]], who taught Armstrong to play guitar for 10 years. Armstrong says in a 1995 [[MTV]] interview, "Basically, it wasn't like guitar lessons because I never really learned how to read music. So he just taught me how to put my hands on the thing." Cole bought the guitar new from David Margen of the band [[Santana (band)|Santana]]. Cole installed the [[Bill Lawrence (guitar maker)|Bill Lawrence]] L500XL Humbucker pickup in the bridge position at an angle, similar to [[Eddie Van Halen]]'s guitar [[Frankenstrat]], which caused Armstrong to be very influenced by Van Halen. The L500XL is the same pickup that was used by [[Dimebag Darrell]] of [[Pantera]], Armstrong replaced the L500XL with a white Yamaha Pacifica humbucker at [[Woodstock '94]].
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong later reinstalled the Bill Lawrence L500XL pickup before recording [[Insomniac (Green Day album)|Insomniac]], although he switched to a black [[Seymour Duncan]] SH-4 JB in 1995. He toured with this guitar from the band's early days and still uses it to this day.<ref>WDR 1Live "[http://www.einslive.de/includes/bildergalerie.jsp?gal=1765&kap=1&img=7#anker Cologne Concert 2009-05-09] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718233339/http://www.einslive.de/includes/bildergalerie.jsp?gal=1765&kap=1&img=7 |date=July 18, 2011 }}" April 2006.</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[Marc Spitz]] writes that, "Armstrong [[fetishized]] his teacher's guitar, partly because the blue instrument had a sound quality and Van Halen-worthy fluidity he couldn't get from his little red Hohner. He prized it mostly, however, because of his relationship with Cole, another father figure after the death of Andy."<ref>{{cite book | last = Spitz | first = Marc | author-link = Marc Spitz | title = Nobody Likes You: inside the turbulent life, times, and music of Green Day | url = https://archive.org/details/nobodylikesyouin00spit | url-access = registration | publisher = Hyperion | year = 2006 | page = [https://archive.org/details/nobodylikesyouin00spit/page/11 11]| isbn = 9781401302740 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Both middle and neck pickups are disconnected and the pickup selector is locked in the bridge position. This also applies to his backup guitar and "Blue" copies, mainly Fender Stratocasters. "Blue" appears in a number of Green Day music videos such as "[[Longview (song)|Longview]]", "[[Welcome to Paradise]]", "[[Basket Case (song)|Basket Case]]", "[[Geek Stink Breath]]", "[[Stuck with Me]]", "[[Brain Stew/Jaded]]", "[[Hitchin' a Ride (Green Day song)|Hitchin' a Ride]]", and "[[Minority (Green Day song)|Minority]]". "Blue" also appears on the album cover of ''[[Insomniac (Green Day album)|Insomniac]]''. The "BJ" on Blue stands for Billie Joe, inspired by [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], whose Stratocaster has his own initials ("SRV") on the pickguard.{{cn|date=February 2023}}
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Today, Armstrong mainly uses [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] and [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] guitars. Twenty of his Gibson guitars are [[Les Paul Junior]] models from the mid- to late-1950s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/bja/interview2.htm |title=Gibson USA & Green Day present |publisher=Gibson.com |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317044125/http://www.gibson.com/bja/interview2.htm |archive-date=March 17, 2010 }}</ref> His Fender collection includes [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocasters]], [[Fender Jazzmaster|Jazzmasters]], [[Fender Telecaster|Telecasters]], a [[Gretsch]] hollowbody, [[Rickenbacker 360]] and his copies of "Blue" from [[Fender Custom Shop]]. Recently he has begun giving away guitars to audience members invited to play on stage with Green Day, usually during the songs "Knowledge" or "Longview". He states that his favorite guitar is a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior he calls "Floyd", which he bought in 2000 just before recording the album ''[[Warning (Green Day album)|Warning]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/bja/interview.htm |title=Gibson USA & Green Day present |publisher=Gibson.com |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727175734/http://www.gibson.com/bja/interview.htm |archive-date=July 27, 2010 }}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong also has three of his own [[Les Paul Junior]] signature models from Gibson. The first has been in production since 2006 and is modeled closely after "Floyd".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Billie-Joe-Armstrong-Les-Paul-Jr.aspx|title=Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr|publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation]]|access-date=December 5, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201052307/http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Billie-Joe-Armstrong-Les-Paul-Jr.aspx|archive-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref> The second began production in 2012 and is a TV Yellow double-cutaway Junior. Both models include a Gibson "H-90" pickup, exclusive to Armstrong's models. Gibson has also released an extremely limited run of acoustic signature guitars. [[Epiphone]] has release lower-priced version of his signature Gibson Les Paul Junior in 2022.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong's amplifiers consist of a pair of [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]] 100-watt [[Marshall 1959|1959 Super Lead]] reissues he acquired sometime before Green Day's Woodstock '94 performance and had modified for increased [[distortion (music)|distortion]]. Nicknamed "Meat" and "Pete," the two amps are run in conjunction for a fuller sound, with a [[Boss Corporation#BD-2 Blues Driver|Boss BD-2 Blues Driver]] used for solos. For clean tones, Armstrong uses a rackmount Custom Audio Electronics 3+ SE tube preamp, and all three amplifiers are run through a pair of Marshall 1960B cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.<ref name="Kies">{{cite web |last1=Kies |first1=Chris |title=Rig Rundown: Green Day |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/green-day |website=premierguitar.com |publisher=Premier Guitar |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref> In 2019, [[MXR]] released Armstrong's signature [[Effects pedal|overdrive pedal]], the Dookie Drive, which aimed to reproduce his dual-Marshall setup and was decorated with the cover art from the ''Dookie'' album. MXR later rebranded the pedal as the FOD Drive.<ref name="Curwen">{{cite web |last1=Curwen |first1=Trevor |title=MXR FOD Drive review |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/reviews/mxr-fod-drive-review |website=guitarworld.com |date=April 8, 2021 |publisher=Guitar World |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong plays several other instruments as well as guitar. He recorded harmonica and [[mandolin]] parts on ''[[Nimrod (album)|Nimrod]]'' and ''[[Warning (Green Day album)|Warning]]'', piano parts on ''[[21st Century Breakdown]]'', ''[[American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording]]'' (2010), ''[[¡Tré!]]'', and [[Revolution Radio]], and plays drums and bass occasionally.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
==Personal life==
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:Billie Joe Armstrong a Viggiano.jpg|thumb|Armstrong receiving his honorary [[Viggiano]] citizenship in 2018]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In June 2018, Armstrong was given honorary citizenship of [[Viggiano]], the Italian commune from where his paternal great-great-grandparents hailed, by Viggiano's mayor Amedeo Cicala.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ondanews.it/billie-joe-armstrong-dei-green-day-scopre-le-sue-origini-e-riceve-la-cittadinanza-onoraria-di-viggiano/|title=Billie Joe Armstrong, leader dei Green Day, scopre le sue origini e riceve la cittadinanza onoraria di Viggiano|date=June 24, 2018|work=Ondanews.it|access-date=June 24, 2018|language=it-IT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624181135/http://www.ondanews.it/billie-joe-armstrong-dei-green-day-scopre-le-sue-origini-e-riceve-la-cittadinanza-onoraria-di-viggiano/|archive-date=June 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Armstrong is a member of the board of directors of [[Project Chimps]], a sanctuary for former research chimpanzees funded in large part by the [[Humane Society of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projectchimps.org/about/about-project-chimps/|title=Project Chimps' mission is to provide lifelong exemplary care to chimpanzees retired from research|website=projectchimps|access-date=November 13, 2021|archive-date=February 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206152129/https://projectchimps.org/about/about-project-chimps/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, Green Day saw several [[Las Vegas]] radio stations pull their songs after Armstrong described the city as a "shithole" following the [[Oakland Athletics relocation to Las Vegas|relocation]] of the [[Oakland Athletics]] to the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-banned-from-las-vegas-radio-stations-after-billie-joe-armstrong-calls-the-city-a-shithole-3798117 |title=Green Day banned from Las Vegas radio stations after Billie Joe Armstrong calls the city 'a shithole' |work=NME |first=Hollie |last=Geraghty |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong is a fan of soccer<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/27/green-day-uk-tour-album-saviors |title=Green Day announces UK tour and new album 'Saviors' |work=The Guardian |date=December 27, 2023 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |last1=Garland |first1=Emma |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227164224/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/27/green-day-uk-tour-album-saviors |url-status=live }}</ref> and is one of the co-owners of [[Oakland Roots SC]].
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
===Business ventures===
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In 1997, Armstrong co-founded [[Adeline Records]], a rock and punk rock record label which had, in recent years, been managed by Pat Magnarella, Green Day's manager.<ref name="Adeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.punknews.org/labels/Adeline |title=About Adeline Records |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102014731/http://www.punknews.org/labels/adeline |archive-date=November 2, 2013 }}</ref> Adeline Records closed in August 2017 following Magnarella's split from Green Day.
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In April 2015, Armstrong opened ''Broken Guitars'' (now Oakland Guitars), a guitar shop in Oakland, California with fellow [[Pinhead Gunpowder]] member and longtime [[Green Day]] associate, [[Bill Schneider (musician)|Bill Schneider]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/CultureSpyBlog/archives/2015/03/06/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-to-open-broken-guitars-in-oakland|title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong to Open Broken Guitars in Oakland|newspaper=[[East Bay Express]]|access-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223071915/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/CultureSpyBlog/archives/2015/03/06/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-to-open-broken-guitars-in-oakland|archive-date=December 23, 2015}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
In December 2015, Armstrong and [[Mike Dirnt]] launched a coffee company, [[Oakland Coffee Works]]. The company sells organic coffee beans and is said to be the first company to use mass-produced compostable bags and pods.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cac3846a-a89d-11e5-9700-2b669a5aeb83.html|title=US band Green Day branches out into compostable coffee bags|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|access-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226005716/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cac3846a-a89d-11e5-9700-2b669a5aeb83.html#axzz3v5LUYGeS|archive-date=December 26, 2015}}</ref>
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.

green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
===Fashion===
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
[[File:Green Day - Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON - 7 16 09 (3730317537).jpg|thumb|Armstrong performing in 2009, dressed in his signature punk style]]
green day is a bunch of flaming fags who dont even write their own music.
Armstrong has been noted for his [[punk fashion]] style, which influenced his followers of previous and current generations to the point of being known as a "style icon".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.menstylefashion.com/5-punk-rock-icons-how-to-achieve-their-look/|title=5 Punk Rock Icons – How to Achieve Their Look|work=Men style fashion|first=Eunisse|last=De Leon|date=June 23, 2021|accessdate=August 12, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812205126/https://www.menstylefashion.com/5-punk-rock-icons-how-to-achieve-their-look/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also launched an eye liner with [[Kat Von D]] named "Basket Case", which is a cosmetic that he implemented as part of his singing character since his beginnings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allure.com/story/kat-von-d-basket-case-eyeliner-available-now|title=The Kat Von D x Green Day Basket Case Eyeliner Is Here|work=Allure|first=Sophie|last=Wirt|date=January 5, 2018|accessdate=August 12, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812205545/https://www.allure.com/story/kat-von-d-basket-case-eyeliner-available-now|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Political views===
Armstrong supported [[Barack Obama]] during the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]] and [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential elections]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://rollingstone.com/news/story/21472095/artists_lend_voices_to_obama_campaign|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329073845/http://rollingstone.com/news/story/21472095/artists_lend_voices_to_obama_campaign|archive-date=March 29, 2009|title=Artists Lend Voices to Obama Campaign|date=July 10, 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=dead|access-date=April 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greendayauthority.com/news/3717/ |title=Billie Joe and Adrienne directly endorse Barack Obama for the U.S. presidency |publisher=Greendayauthority.com |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101225215/http://www.greendayauthority.com/news/3717/ |archive-date=November 1, 2013 }}</ref> and [[Bernie Sanders]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=billiejoe|author=Billie Joe Armstrong|number=645127841886044160|date=September 19, 2015|title=I know there are certain issues that we don't agree on. but I do believe there are issues we can COME TOGETHER on.}}</ref> Following Sanders' defeat in the Democratic primaries, Armstrong declared his support for [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BLT6b7aBKPI/ |title=no more lies, no more false equivalence, no more racism, no more sexual assault, no more trump.. no wonder your sons are such fucking assholes.. i am proud to say i am most definitely with her |access-date=August 4, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216090341/https://www.instagram.com/p/BLT6b7aBKPI/ |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}</ref> He was critical of [[Donald Trump]] during the election and throughout Trump's presidency, calling him a "[[fascist]]" and a "puppet of the [[Illuminati]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-puppet-illuminati-1841255|title=Green Day say 'fascist' Trump could be a 'puppet for the Illuminati'|website=[[NME]]|date=November 10, 2016|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628013513/https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-puppet-illuminati-1841255|url-status=live}}</ref> comparing him to [[Adolf Hitler]],<ref>{{Cite web|first=Luke Morgan|last=Britton|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-america-nme-interview-1819877|title=Green Day on Donald Trump and current state of America: 'I can't believe we're still alive'|website=[[NME]]|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124184508/https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-america-nme-interview-1819877|url-status=live}}</ref> and blaming "uneducated white working-class people" for his rise to power.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-stupid-white-people-1822731|title = Green Day blame rise of Trump on stupid white people|website = [[NME]]|date = November 6, 2016|access-date = February 13, 2021|archive-date = June 18, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210618171228/https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-trump-stupid-white-people-1822731|url-status = live}}</ref> In a 2017 ''Rolling Stone'' interview, he stated that he does not align himself with any political party and described himself as an [[Independent voter|independent]].<ref name="greene">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/a-backstage-conversation-with-green-day-128391/|title=Green Day Talk Trump, 'American Idiot' Legacy, Band's Future|first1=Andy|last1=Greene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628013522/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/a-backstage-conversation-with-green-day-128391/|url-status=live}}</ref> He again supported Sanders during the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], later endorsing [[Joe Biden]] after Sanders lost the primary.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CEm6dY5l234/?igshid=1wbjnsagc44l3 |title=@billiejoearmstrong on Instagram - Billie Joe Armstrong endorses Biden-Harris |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007192132/https://www.instagram.com/p/CEm6dY5l234/?igshid=1wbjnsagc44l3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] decision ''[[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization]]'', Armstrong announced his plans to renounce his United States [[citizenship]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Segarra |first=Edward |date=June 26, 2022 |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong says he's 'renouncing' US citizenship after Roe v. Wade is overturned |website=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/06/26/billie-joe-armstrong-renouncing-citizenship-roe-v-wade-reversal/7742058001/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627080451/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/06/26/billie-joe-armstrong-renouncing-citizenship-roe-v-wade-reversal/7742058001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Armstrong has spoken out in support of [[transgender]] people. In a 2024 interview with ''[[the Times]]'', Armstrong spoke to the ways that he is still weaving his queerness into his songwriting. The newspaper asked him about Green Day's opinions on the [[2020s anti-LGBTQ movement in the United States|moral panic surrounding transgender youth]], to which the singer responded, "I just think they're fucking close-minded." "It's like people are afraid of their children," he told the newspaper. "Why would you be afraid? Why don't you let your kid just be the kid that they are?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Factora |first=James |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Says the Moral Panic Around Trans Kids is "F*cking Closed-Minded" |url=https://www.them.us/story/green-days-billie-joe-says-the-moral-panic-around-trans-kids-is-fcking-closeminded |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=[[Them (website)|Them]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Ali |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong calls anti-trans panic 'f***ing close-minded' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/17/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-anti-trans-panic/ |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=[[PinkNews]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Relationships and sexuality===
{{overly detailed|section|date=July 2021}}
Armstrong has identified himself as [[bisexual]], saying in a 1995 interview with ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'', "I think I've always been bisexual. I mean, it's something that I've always been interested in. I think people are born bisexual, and it's just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling of, 'Oh, I can't.' They say it's taboo. It's ingrained in our heads that it's bad, when it's not bad at all. It's a very beautiful thing."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/25/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-bisexual/|title=AOL Radio – Listen to Free Online Radio – Free Internet Radio Stations and Music Playlists|publisher=Spinner.com|access-date=November 25, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806155541/http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/25/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-bisexual/|archive-date=August 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=26574 |title=Billie Joe Armstrong: Idiot Savant |publisher=Out.com |date=March 10, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929135520/http://out.com/detail.asp?id=26574 |archive-date=September 29, 2010 }}</ref> In February 2014, he again discussed his bisexuality in a ''Rolling Stone'' article about the Green Day album ''Dookie'', which he described as "touch[ing] on bisexuality a lot".<ref name="rollingstone.com"/>

Armstrong met his first serious girlfriend, Arica Pelino, at [[924 Gilman Street]] on his 16th birthday. She became known as the "first official Green Day fan," listening to the first four-track recordings by Armstrong and Sean Hughes, encouraging the band, touring with them and acting as an occasional photographer for them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ani3jrvy1r0t5s5o4_250.png |title=Archived copy |access-date=May 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005041324/http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ani3jrvy1r0t5s5o4_250.png |archive-date=October 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/arica-pelino-mn0001988138 |title=Arica Pelino &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805035149/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/arica-pelino-mn0001988138 |archive-date=August 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref>Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p36</ref> She inspired many of Green Day's songs, including "Christie Road", which was written about the local railroad tracks where she and Armstrong would sneak out to meet.<ref>Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p36-37</ref> When Armstrong began living in punk houses and warehouses at the age of seventeen, including the warehouse above a West Oakland brothel which ultimately inspired the song "Welcome to Paradise",<ref name="Spitz, M 2006, p48">Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p48</ref> she would often stay with him, later saying, "I would stay with him sometimes in these warehouses full of [[crusty punk]]s."<ref name="Spitz, M 2006, p48"/> The couple split in late 1991. Arica is the sister of former Green Day touring member [[Mike Pelino (musician)|Mike Pelino]] and the sister-in-law of Janna White, who is married to Green Day touring guitarist [[Jason White (Green Day guitarist)|Jason White]].{{explain|date=July 2024}}

Shortly after his split with Pelino, Armstrong began dating a woman he has identified only as "Amanda". She produced and distributed her own [[fanzine|fan zine]] and was an "iron-willed" [[feminist]], which enthralled Armstrong.<ref>Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p69-70</ref> Amanda, however, was unimpressed with Armstrong; though the couple dated for some time, she ultimately left him in 1994 and joined the [[Peace Corps]], leaving him feeling suicidal.<ref>Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p70</ref> Armstrong stated in an interview with ''Spin'' about the inspiration behind the Green Day song "Armatage Shanks" in 1995: "It was right before ''Dookie'' came out and I was really at odds with myself. I was like, 'Man, do I really want to do this?' A lot of time I was thinking about suicide, how it's so easy to kill yourself, but it's so hard to stay alive. I was in a break-up with my then-girlfriend, a total, raving punk rocker who didn't approve of me being on a major label. She moved down to [[Ecuador]] saying she couldn't live in a world with [[McDonald's]] and such. It was fucking me up pretty bad."<ref>Spin, December,1995, p139</ref> Armstrong has written many songs about Amanda, both during their relationship and afterwards, including "She", "Good Riddance", "Stuart and the Ave", "Sassafras Roots", "Amanda", "She's a Rebel", "Extraordinary Girl", and "Whatsername". The character of Whatsername on the album ''American Idiot'', and in the ''American Idiot'' musical, is based on Amanda.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=billiejoe|author=Billie Joe Armstrong|number=35365988027338752|date=February 9, 2011|title='She' is about a girl named Amanda. So is Sasafrats roots(title by Mike) and so is 'whatsername'&nbsp;.. Ooh&nbsp;.. That's a good factoid}}</ref>

In 1990, Armstrong met Adrienne Nesser (the sister of professional skateboarder [[Steve Nesser]]) at one of Green Day's early performances in [[Minneapolis]]. They married on July 2, 1994, with Nesser discovering that she was pregnant the day after their wedding. Their first son, Joseph Marciano "Joey" Armstrong, was born on February 28, 1995. Joey went on to play drums in the [[Oakland]]-based band [[SWMRS]]. Their second son, Jakob Danger Armstrong, was born on September 12, 1998. Jakob is a guitarist and singer-songwriter who released his first material online in 2015 and currently plays with the band Ultra Q (formerly Mt. Eddy). In a February 2014 interview with ''Rolling Stone'', Armstrong described his sudden marriage and fatherhood: "I was very impulsive at that time. I think that impulsive behavior was meant to counteract the chaos in my life."<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Fricke|authorlink=David Fricke|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/dookie-at-20-billie-joe-armstrong-on-green-days-punk-blockbuster-20140203|title='Dookie' at 20: Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day's Punk Blockbuster|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717021934/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/dookie-at-20-billie-joe-armstrong-on-green-days-punk-blockbuster-20140203#ixzz2sIQituX0|archive-date=July 17, 2014}}</ref>

==Awards==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Green Day}}

{| class="wikitable" style="table-layout: fixed;"
|-
!width="40"| Year
! style="width:420px;"| Award
!width="85"| Presented By
|-
| 2008 ||50 Sexiest People in Rock ('''#1''')<ref>{{cite web|title=Sexiest people|url=http://www.listal.com/list/kerrang-50-sexiest-people-rock|publisher=Kerrang|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212061631/http://www.listal.com/list/kerrang-50-sexiest-people-rock|archive-date=February 12, 2013}}</ref> (Readers Choice) || [[Kerrang!]]
|-
| 2010 || Top Frontmen of All Time ('''#25''')<ref>{{cite web|title=Best frontmen af all time|url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/all-top-50-0827.aspx|publisher=Gibson.com|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131202643/http://www2.gibson.com/news-lifestyle/features/en-us/all-top-50-0827.aspx|archive-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> (Readers Choice) || [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]
|-
|}

==Discography==
<!-- Please do not add compilation albums to the discography -->

===Solo releases===
;Albums
* ''[[Foreverly]]'' (2013, with [[Norah Jones]])
* ''[[No Fun Mondays]]'' (2020)

;Singles
* "Look for Love" (1977)
* "Long Time Gone" (2013)
* "[[I Think We're Alone Now#Other versions|I Think We're Alone Now]]" (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2FYNBNvvPgrUYC87Lqvz6W|title=I Think We're Alone Now|date=April 17, 2020|via=[[Spotify]]|access-date=April 18, 2020|archive-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418125653/https://open.spotify.com/album/2FYNBNvvPgrUYC87Lqvz6W|url-status=live}}</ref>
* "[[Manic Monday]]" (2020)
* "[[That Thing You Do! (song)|That Thing You Do!]]" (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/4s7Nan6D8QC02ORXGM0slB?si=fQnGpl2-QHObD_a4b4la7w|title=The Thing You Do!|date=August 28, 2020|via=[[Spotify]]|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630003947/https://open.spotify.com/track/4s7Nan6D8QC02ORXGM0slB?si=fQnGpl2-QHObD_a4b4la7w|url-status=live}}</ref>
* "[[Kids in America]]" (2020)
* "[[You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory]]" (2020)
* "Corpus Christi" (2020)
* "War Stories" (2020)
* "Amico" (2020)
* "Not That Way Anymore" (2020)
* "[[That's Rock 'n' Roll]]" (2020)
* "[[Gimme Some Truth]]" (2020)
* "[[A New England]]" (2020)

===Green Day===
{{Main|Green Day discography}}
* ''[[39/Smooth]]'' (1990) – lead vocals, guitar
* ''[[Kerplunk!]]'' (1991) – lead vocals, guitar, drums and backing vocals on "Dominated Love Slave"<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Kerplunk!|title-link=Kerplunk (album)|others=Green Day|year=1992|type=CD liner|publisher=[[Lookout!]]|id=0015133-02}}</ref>
* ''[[Dookie]]'' (1994) – lead vocals, guitar
* ''[[Insomniac (Green Day album)|Insomniac]]'' (1995) – lead vocals, guitar
* ''[[Nimrod (album)|Nimrod]]'' (1997) – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica on "Walking Alone"<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Nimrod|title-link=Nimrod (album)|others=Green Day|year=1997|type=CD liner|publisher=[[Reprise Records]]|id=0015133-02}}</ref>
* ''[[Warning (Green Day album)|Warning]]'' (2000) – vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Warning|title-link=Warning (Green Day album)|others=Green Day|year=2000|type=CD liner|publisher=[[Reprise Records]]|id=0015133-02}}</ref>
* ''[[American Idiot]]'' (2004) – lead and backing vocals, guitar<ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=American Idiot|others=[[Green Day]]|publisher=[[Reprise Records]]|year=2004|type=CD liner }} Retrieved September 17, 2023</ref>
* ''[[21st Century Breakdown]]'' (2009) – lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/21st-century-breakdown-mw0000812729/credits |title=21st Century Breakdown - Green Day |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002064320/https://www.allmusic.com/album/21st-century-breakdown-mw0000812729/credits |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording]]'' (2010) – vocals, guitar, piano
* ''[[¡Uno!]]'' (2012) – vocals, guitar
* ''[[¡Dos!]]'' (2012) – vocals, guitar
* ''[[¡Tré!]]'' (2012) – vocals, guitar, piano
* ''[[Revolution Radio]]'' (2016) – lead vocals, guitar, piano
* ''[[Father of All Motherfuckers]]'' (2020) - lead vocals, guitar
* ''[[Saviors (album)|Saviors]]'' (2024)<ref name="SaviorsNME">{{cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |title=Green Day announce album 'Saviors' and share new single |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-share-new-single-and-announce-album-saviors-preorder-3520437 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=October 24, 2023 |date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029125347/https://www.nme.com/news/music/green-day-share-new-single-and-announce-album-saviors-preorder-3520437 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SSL" /> - lead vocals, guitar

===Pinhead Gunpowder===
''Vocals and guitar on all''
* ''[[Jump Salty]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Carry the Banner]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Goodbye Ellston Avenue]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Shoot the Moon (EP)|Shoot the Moon]]'' ([[EP]]) (1999) – also production
* ''[[Compulsive Disclosure]]'' (2003)
* ''[[West Side Highway (EP)|West Side Highway]]'' (EP) (2008)
* ''[[Unt (Pinhead Gunpowder album)|Unt]]'' (2024)

===The Network===
* ''[[Money Money 2020]]'' (2003) – guitar, vocals
* ''[[Trans Am (EP)|Trans Am]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!]]'' (2020) - lead vocals, lead guitar, backing vocals, drums

===Foxboro Hot Tubs===
* ''[[Stop Drop and Roll!!!]]'' (2008) – lead vocals<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.punknews.org/review/7264 |title=Foxboro Hot Tubs – Stop Drop and Roll!!! |date=May 6, 2008 |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522201757/http://www.punknews.org/review/7264 |archive-date=May 22, 2012 }}</ref>

===The Boo===
* ''The Boo'' (EP) (2011) – bass

===The Shrives===
* ''Turn Me On'' (EP) (2015) – bass

===The Longshot===
* ''The Longshot'' (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* ''[[Love Is for Losers]]'' (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* ''Devil's Kind'' (Single) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* ''Bullets'' (Single) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* ''Razor Baby'' (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* ''Return to Sender'' (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums

==Filmography==
===Film===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2003
|''[[Riding in Vans with Boys]]''
|Himself
|Documentary of The [[Pop Disaster Tour]]
|-
|2004
|''[[Disease Is Punishment]]''
|Fink
|
|-
|2005
|''[[Bullet in a Bible]]''
|Himself
|
|-
|-
|2006
|''[[Live Freaky! Die Freaky!]]''
|[[Charles Manson]]
|Voice
|-
|2007
|''[[The Simpsons Movie]]''
|rowspan="6" | Himself
|Voice
|-
|2008
|''[[Heart Like a Hand Grenade]]''
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Awesome as Fuck]]''
|
|-
|rowspan="2" |2012
|''[[One Nine Nine Four]]''
|
|-
|''[[This Is 40]]''
|
|-
|rowspan="2" |2013
|''[[¡Cuatro!]]''
|
|-
|''[[American Idiot (musical)#Documentary|Broadway Idiot]]''
| St. Jimmy
|
|-
|2014
|''[[Like Sunday, Like Rain]]''
|Dennis
|
|-
|2016
|''[[Ordinary World (film)|Ordinary World]]''
|Perry Miller
|
|}

===Television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1997
|''[[King of the Hill]]''
|Face
|Voice<br>Episode: "The Man Who Shot Cane Skretteburg"
|-
|2001
|''[[Behind the Music]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "Green Day"
|-
|2002
|''[[Haunted (2002 TV series)|Haunted]]''
|Irv Kratser
|Episode: "Simon Redux"
|-
|2010
|''Behind the Music: Remastered''
|Himself
|Episode: "Green Day"
|-
|rowspan="2" |2012
|''[[Nurse Jackie]]''
|Jackie's Pickup
|Episode: "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black"
|-
|''[[The Voice (U.S.)|The Voice]]''
|Himself
|5 episodes
|-
|2016
|''[[Drunk History]]''
|[[Charlie Chaplin]]
|Episode: "Legends"
|}

===Video games===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2005
|''[[Tony Hawk's American Wasteland]]''
|rowspan="2" | Himself
|Likeness
|-
|2010
|''[[Green Day: Rock Band]]''
|Also likeness and archive footage
|}

===Stage===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2010–2011
|''[[American Idiot (musical)|American Idiot]]''
|St. Jimmy
|76 performances
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="SSL">{{cite web |title=Top-Tier Producer Rob Cavallo Captures the 'Big Studio Sound' in Private Studio with Solid State Logic BiG SiX |url=https://www.solidstatelogic.com/media/rob-cavallo-captures-big-studio-sound-with-big-six |quote=He is currently producing the newest Green Day album due out early next year |website=[[Solid State Logic]] |date=May 2, 2023 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529194836/https://www.solidstatelogic.com/media/rob-cavallo-captures-big-studio-sound-with-big-six |url-status=live }}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links
|1= |collapsible=yes |display=Billie Joe Armstrong |position=right |style=
|commons=Category:Billie Joe Armstrong
|q=Billie Joe Armstrong
|wikt=no
|n=no
|s=no
|author=no
|b=no
|v=no
}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{IMDb name|0035626}}
* {{AllMovie name|billie-joe-armstrong-306536|Billie Joe Armstrong}}

{{Navboxes
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Green Day|Awards for Billie Joe Armstrong]]
| list =
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 2000s}}
{{2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Green Day}}
{{Pinhead Gunpowder}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Billie Joe}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:Adeline Records]]
[[Category:American alternative rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American alternative rock musicians]]
[[Category:American alternative rock singers]]
[[Category:American bisexual male actors]]
[[Category:American bisexual musicians]]
[[Category:American bisexual writers]]
[[Category:American lead guitarists]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ singers]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ songwriters]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male musical theatre actors]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American mandolinists]]
[[Category:American multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:American punk rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American punk rock singers]]
[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
[[Category:American tenors]]
[[Category:American writers of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Bisexual male musicians]]
[[Category:Bisexual singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Green Day members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from California]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:LGBTQ record producers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Musicians from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:New York (state) independents]]
[[Category:People from Rodeo, California]]
[[Category:People from the East Village, Manhattan]]
[[Category:Pop punk singers]]
[[Category:Record producers from California]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 15:06, 19 December 2024

Billie Joe Armstrong
Armstrong performing at the Isle of Wight Festival 2024
Born (1972-02-17) February 17, 1972 (age 52)
Other names
  • Fink
  • Wilhelm Fink
  • Reverend Strychnine Twitch
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • businessman
Spouse
Adrienne Nesser
(m. 1994)
Children2
RelativesSteve Nesser (brother-in-law)
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1987–present
LabelsReprise
Member of
Formerly of
  • Desecrated Youth[2]
  • Corrupted Morals[1]
Signature

Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician and actor. He is best known for being the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt in 1987. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder, and provides lead vocals for Green Day's side projects Foxboro Hot Tubs, the Network, the Longshot and the Coverups. Armstrong has been considered by critics as one of the greatest punk rock guitarists of all time.[3][4][5]

Armstrong developed an interest in music at a young age, and recorded his first song at the age of five. He met Dirnt while attending elementary school, and the two instantly bonded over their mutual interest in music, forming the band Sweet Children when the two were 14 years old. The band later changed its name to Green Day. Armstrong has also pursued musical projects including numerous collaborations with other musicians.

Armstrong has acted in several films and TV series, including Like Sunday, Like Rain, Ordinary World, King of the Hill, Haunted, and Drunk History. In addition to co-writing the book and lyrics for American Idiot, a jukebox musical featuring several of Green Day's songs, Armstrong portrayed the role of St. Jimmy in the show for several weeks during its run on Broadway.

Armstrong's business ventures include founding Adeline Records to help support other bands in 1997, coinciding with the release of Nimrod. Adeline signed acts such as the Frustrators, AFI, and Dillinger Four. The record company shut down two decades later in August 2017.[6] Armstrong also co-founded Punk Bunny Coffee (formerly Oakland Coffee Works) in 2015.

Early life

Armstrong was born in Oakland, California,[7] on February 17, 1972,[8] the youngest of six children of Ollie Jackson (born 1932)[9] and Andrew Marsicano Armstrong (1928–1982).[10] He was raised in Rodeo, California. His father, a jazz musician and truck driver for Safeway, died of esophageal cancer on September 10, 1982, when Armstrong was 10 years old.[10] The song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a memorial to his father. Armstrong has five siblings, including three older sisters, Marci, Hollie, and Anna, and two older brothers, David and Alan. His mother worked as a waitress at Rod's Hickory Pit in El Cerrito, California, where he and Mike Dirnt later played their first gig in 1987.[10] His great-great-grandparents Pietro Marsicano and Teresa Nigro were Italian immigrants from Viggiano, who settled in Boston prior to relocating to Berkeley, California, in 1869.[11]

Armstrong attended Hillcrest Elementary School in Rodeo, where a teacher encouraged him to record a song titled "Look for Love" at the age of five[12] on the Bay Area label Fiat Records.[10][13] After his father died, his mother married a man whom her children disliked, which resulted in Armstrong's further retreat into music.[citation needed] At the age of 10, he met future bandmate Mike Dirnt in the school cafeteria, and they immediately bonded over their love of music.[10] He became interested in punk rock after being introduced to the genre by his brothers.[14] He has cited Van Halen, Ramones, the Replacements, and Hüsker Dü as musical influences. The first concert he ever attended was Van Halen in 1984. After Hillcrest Elementary, Armstrong attended Carquinez Middle School and John Swett High School, both in Crockett, California, and later transferred to Pinole Valley High School in Pinole, California. On his 18th birthday, he dropped out to pursue a musical career.[citation needed]

Career

In 1987, aged 15, Armstrong formed a band called Sweet Children with his childhood friend Mike Dirnt. In the beginning, Armstrong and Dirnt both played guitar, with Raj Punjabi[15] on drums[16] and Sean Hughes on bass. Punjabi was later replaced on drums by John Kiffmeyer, also known as Al Sobrante. After a few performances, Hughes left the band in 1988; Dirnt then began playing bass and they became a three-piece band. They changed their name to Green Day in April 1989, choosing the name because of their fondness for marijuana.[17]

In 1989, Green Day released their debut EP 1,000 Hours through Lookout! Records. They recorded their debut studio album 39/Smooth and the extended play Slappy in 1990, which were later combined with 1,000 Hours into the compilation 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours in 1991.

In 1990, Armstrong provided lead guitar and backing vocals on three songs for the Lookouts' final EP IV, which featured Tré Cool on drums. Tré became Green Day's drummer in late 1990 after Sobrante left to go to college. Cool made his debut on Green Day's second album, Kerplunk (1991).

In 1991, Armstrong joined the band Pinhead Gunpowder, consisting of bassist Bill Schneider, drummer Aaron Cometbus, and fellow vocalist/guitarist Sarah Kirsch. Kirsch left the group in 1992, and was replaced by Jason White. The group has released several extended plays and albums from 1991 to the present, and performs live shows on an intermittent basis.[18]

In 1993, Armstrong played live several times with California punk band Rancid. Rancid's lead singer, Tim Armstrong, asked Billie Joe Armstrong to join his band, but he refused due to his progress with Green Day. However, Billie Joe Armstrong was credited as a co-writer on Rancid's 1993 song, Radio.

With their third LP, Dookie (1994), Green Day broke through into the mainstream, and have remained one of the most popular rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s with over 60 million records sold worldwide.[19] The album was followed by Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997), and Warning (2000).

Armstrong collaborated with many artists. He co-wrote the Go-Go's 2001 song "Unforgiven". He has also co-written songs with Penelope Houston ("The Angel and The Jerk" and "New Day"), and sung backing vocals with Melissa Auf der Maur on Ryan Adams' "Do Miss America" (where they acted as the backing band for Iggy Pop on his album Skull Ring ("Private Hell" and "Supermarket"). Armstrong produced an album for the Riverdales. He was part of the Green Day side project the Network from 2003 to 2005, which became active again in 2020. The Network released two albums: 2003's Money Money 2020 and 2020's Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!.

Hoping to clear his head and develop new ideas for songs, Armstrong traveled to New York City alone for a few weeks in 2003, renting a small apartment in the East Village of Manhattan.[20] He spent much of this time taking long walks and participating in jam sessions in the basement of Hi-Fi, a bar in Manhattan.[21] However, the friends he made during this time drank too much for his liking, which was the catalyst for Armstrong's return to the Bay Area.[21] After returning home, Armstrong was arrested for driving under the influence on January 5, 2003, and released on $1,200 bail.[21]

Armstrong performing in 2005

In 2004, Green Day debuted American Idiot, their first rock opera. The album has sold more than 15,000,000 copies worldwide, fueled by the hit singles "American Idiot", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends".[22] In 2009, Green Day released 21st Century Breakdown, the band's second rock opera, which was another commercial success.[23] Between these two projects, Armstrong was the lead vocalist of the Green Day side project Foxboro Hot Tubs, who formed in 2007 and have performed intermittent live shows ever since. Foxboro Hot Tubs released one album, Stop Drop and Roll!!!, in 2008.[24][25]

In 2009, Armstrong formed a band called Rodeo Queens, along with members of Green Day and NYC punk rocker Jesse Malin. They released one song, along with a video, called "Depression Times".[26]

In 2009, American Idiot was adapted into a Broadway musical, also called American Idiot.[27] The musical won two Tony Awards. Armstrong appeared in American Idiot in the role of St. Jimmy for two stints in late 2010[28][29] and early 2011.[30]

In 2012, Green Day released a trio of albums: ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!.[31] In 2013, Armstrong appeared on Season 3 of NBC's The Voice as an assistant mentor for Christina Aguilera's team.[32] In 2013, Armstrong and singer-songwriter Norah Jones released the album Foreverly, consisting of covers of songs from the Everly Brothers' album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.[33] The first single from the album, "Long Time Gone", was released on October 23.

2012 substance abuse

On September 21, 2012, during a Green Day performance at Las Vegas' iHeartRadio Music Festival, Armstrong became agitated onstage and stopped the band's set midway through their performance of the 1994 hit song "Basket Case". In an expletive-filled rant, Armstrong criticized the event's promoters for allegedly cutting short the band's performance, before smashing his guitar and storming off stage.[34] The band later issued a statement apologizing for the incident and clarifying that their set had not actually been cut short.[35] The incident occurred just four days prior to the release of Green Day's ninth studio album, ¡Uno![36]

Two days after the incident at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Green Day announced that Armstrong was seeking treatment for an unspecified substance abuse problem.[37][38] As a result, scheduled appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Ellen DeGeneres Show were canceled.[39] According to Claudia Suarez Wright, Tre Cool's ex-wife and the mother of Armstrong's godson, Armstrong had been drinking heavily in Las Vegas prior to the iHeartRadio Music Festival, following approximately one year of sobriety.[40][41]

Armstrong gave an interview to Rolling Stone in March 2013 in which he said that he had "been trying to get sober since 1997, right around Nimrod".[42] He discussed how, during the 21st Century Breakdown tour of 2009–2010, "There were meltdowns on that tour that were huge".[42] Armstrong detailed his addiction, in particular how it had escalated in the months prior to the release of the ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tre! albums and the performance at iHeartRadio, stating that during the band's 2011 summer tour of Europe, "I was at my pill-taking height at that time, medicating the shit out of myself".[43] Armstrong gave details of a gig at Irving Plaza in New York just over a week before the iHeartRadio incident, in which he "Threw back four or five beers before we went on and probably had four or five when we played. Then I drank my body weight in alcohol after that. I ended up hungover on the West Side Highway, laying in a little park."[43]

Green Day canceled all remaining concert dates for 2012 and early 2013 as Armstrong continued dealing with his personal problems.[44] In late December 2012, the band announced they would return to touring at the end of March 2013.[45] Armstrong later said that the substances he had been abusing were alcohol and prescription pills for anxiety and insomnia.[46]

2013 onward

Armstrong in 2013

Armstrong also collaborated with the comedy hip hop group Lonely Island in their song "I Run NY" from The Wack Album released on June 7, 2013.[47] He starred alongside Leighton Meester in the 2014 film Like Sunday, Like Rain.[48] For his work in the film, Bilie Joe won the Breakout Performance Award at the 2014 Williamsburg Independent Film Festival.[49] Armstrong wrote songs for These Paper Bullets, a rock musical adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, which premiered at Yale Repertory Theater in March 2014.[50]

In 2014, Armstrong joined the Replacements for a number of shows beginning on April 19 at Coachella. Frontman Paul Westerberg had been suffering with back problems and spent the majority of the gig lying on a sofa while Armstrong helped play his parts. Westerberg referred to Billie Joe as an "expansion of the band".[51] Armstrong joined the Replacements on stage again at the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta in May.[52]

In November 2014, Armstrong moved with his son Joseph to New York[53] and began working on another acting role, in the film Ordinary World. It was Armstrong's first lead acting role. The film centers on the mid-life crisis of a husband and father who attempts to revisit his punk past, and was released in 2016. It included new songs written and performed by Armstrong.[54][55] The film got mixed reviews, although Armstrong's own performance was generally praised, with The Village Voice writing that he had "a low-key charm suggesting that, if he desired it, he could get more onscreen gigs in between albums."[56]

In October 2016, Green Day released their album Revolution Radio.[57] In July 2017, Armstrong formed a supergroup with Tim Armstrong of Rancid, named the Armstrongs.[58]

In April 2018, Armstrong formed the rock band the Longshot, and on April 20, the band released their debut studio album Love Is for Losers.[59] Shortly after, Armstrong announced that he and the Longshot would embark on a summer tour. Aside from Armstrong, the band's lineup consists of Kevin Preston and David S. Field of the band Prima Donna on lead guitar and drums, respectively, and longtime Green Day live member Jeff Matika on bass.[60]

In 2019, Armstrong co-wrote and performed the track "Strangers & Thieves" on the album Sunset Kids by Jesse Malin.[61]

In February 2020, Green Day released their thirteenth album, Father of All Motherfuckers.[62]

Green Day's fourteenth album, Saviors, was released on January 19, 2024.[63]

Artistry

Armstrong is known for his frequent use of palm-muted, power chord-driven guitar riffs, and melodic guitar solos. His strumming style makes use of techniques such as stubbing and fret hand muting, which allows him to strum power chords harder while attacking all six strings on the guitar.[64]

Instruments

Armstrong performing with his original "Blue" in 2024
Armstrong performing with Fender "Blue" replica in 2010

Armstrong's first guitar was a Cherry Red Hohner acoustic, which his father bought for him. He received his first electric guitar, a Fernandes The Revival RST-50 Stratocaster that he named "Blue", when he was ten years old in 1982, the same year his father died. His mother got "Blue" from George Cole, who taught Armstrong to play guitar for 10 years. Armstrong says in a 1995 MTV interview, "Basically, it wasn't like guitar lessons because I never really learned how to read music. So he just taught me how to put my hands on the thing." Cole bought the guitar new from David Margen of the band Santana. Cole installed the Bill Lawrence L500XL Humbucker pickup in the bridge position at an angle, similar to Eddie Van Halen's guitar Frankenstrat, which caused Armstrong to be very influenced by Van Halen. The L500XL is the same pickup that was used by Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, Armstrong replaced the L500XL with a white Yamaha Pacifica humbucker at Woodstock '94.

Armstrong later reinstalled the Bill Lawrence L500XL pickup before recording Insomniac, although he switched to a black Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB in 1995. He toured with this guitar from the band's early days and still uses it to this day.[65]

Marc Spitz writes that, "Armstrong fetishized his teacher's guitar, partly because the blue instrument had a sound quality and Van Halen-worthy fluidity he couldn't get from his little red Hohner. He prized it mostly, however, because of his relationship with Cole, another father figure after the death of Andy."[66]

Both middle and neck pickups are disconnected and the pickup selector is locked in the bridge position. This also applies to his backup guitar and "Blue" copies, mainly Fender Stratocasters. "Blue" appears in a number of Green Day music videos such as "Longview", "Welcome to Paradise", "Basket Case", "Geek Stink Breath", "Stuck with Me", "Brain Stew/Jaded", "Hitchin' a Ride", and "Minority". "Blue" also appears on the album cover of Insomniac. The "BJ" on Blue stands for Billie Joe, inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose Stratocaster has his own initials ("SRV") on the pickguard.[citation needed]

Today, Armstrong mainly uses Gibson and Fender guitars. Twenty of his Gibson guitars are Les Paul Junior models from the mid- to late-1950s.[67] His Fender collection includes Stratocasters, Jazzmasters, Telecasters, a Gretsch hollowbody, Rickenbacker 360 and his copies of "Blue" from Fender Custom Shop. Recently he has begun giving away guitars to audience members invited to play on stage with Green Day, usually during the songs "Knowledge" or "Longview". He states that his favorite guitar is a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior he calls "Floyd", which he bought in 2000 just before recording the album Warning.[68]

Armstrong also has three of his own Les Paul Junior signature models from Gibson. The first has been in production since 2006 and is modeled closely after "Floyd".[69] The second began production in 2012 and is a TV Yellow double-cutaway Junior. Both models include a Gibson "H-90" pickup, exclusive to Armstrong's models. Gibson has also released an extremely limited run of acoustic signature guitars. Epiphone has release lower-priced version of his signature Gibson Les Paul Junior in 2022.

Armstrong's amplifiers consist of a pair of Marshall 100-watt 1959 Super Lead reissues he acquired sometime before Green Day's Woodstock '94 performance and had modified for increased distortion. Nicknamed "Meat" and "Pete," the two amps are run in conjunction for a fuller sound, with a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver used for solos. For clean tones, Armstrong uses a rackmount Custom Audio Electronics 3+ SE tube preamp, and all three amplifiers are run through a pair of Marshall 1960B cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.[70] In 2019, MXR released Armstrong's signature overdrive pedal, the Dookie Drive, which aimed to reproduce his dual-Marshall setup and was decorated with the cover art from the Dookie album. MXR later rebranded the pedal as the FOD Drive.[71]

Armstrong plays several other instruments as well as guitar. He recorded harmonica and mandolin parts on Nimrod and Warning, piano parts on 21st Century Breakdown, American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording (2010), ¡Tré!, and Revolution Radio, and plays drums and bass occasionally.

Personal life

Armstrong receiving his honorary Viggiano citizenship in 2018

In June 2018, Armstrong was given honorary citizenship of Viggiano, the Italian commune from where his paternal great-great-grandparents hailed, by Viggiano's mayor Amedeo Cicala.[72] Armstrong is a member of the board of directors of Project Chimps, a sanctuary for former research chimpanzees funded in large part by the Humane Society of the United States.[73] In 2024, Green Day saw several Las Vegas radio stations pull their songs after Armstrong described the city as a "shithole" following the relocation of the Oakland Athletics to the city.[74]

Armstrong is a fan of soccer[75] and is one of the co-owners of Oakland Roots SC.

Business ventures

In 1997, Armstrong co-founded Adeline Records, a rock and punk rock record label which had, in recent years, been managed by Pat Magnarella, Green Day's manager.[76] Adeline Records closed in August 2017 following Magnarella's split from Green Day.

In April 2015, Armstrong opened Broken Guitars (now Oakland Guitars), a guitar shop in Oakland, California with fellow Pinhead Gunpowder member and longtime Green Day associate, Bill Schneider.[77]

In December 2015, Armstrong and Mike Dirnt launched a coffee company, Oakland Coffee Works. The company sells organic coffee beans and is said to be the first company to use mass-produced compostable bags and pods.[78]

Fashion

Armstrong performing in 2009, dressed in his signature punk style

Armstrong has been noted for his punk fashion style, which influenced his followers of previous and current generations to the point of being known as a "style icon".[79] He also launched an eye liner with Kat Von D named "Basket Case", which is a cosmetic that he implemented as part of his singing character since his beginnings.[80]

Political views

Armstrong supported Barack Obama during the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections,[81][82] and Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential election.[83] Following Sanders' defeat in the Democratic primaries, Armstrong declared his support for Hillary Clinton.[84] He was critical of Donald Trump during the election and throughout Trump's presidency, calling him a "fascist" and a "puppet of the Illuminati",[85] comparing him to Adolf Hitler,[86] and blaming "uneducated white working-class people" for his rise to power.[87] In a 2017 Rolling Stone interview, he stated that he does not align himself with any political party and described himself as an independent.[88] He again supported Sanders during the 2020 presidential election, later endorsing Joe Biden after Sanders lost the primary.[89] Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Armstrong announced his plans to renounce his United States citizenship.[90]

Armstrong has spoken out in support of transgender people. In a 2024 interview with the Times, Armstrong spoke to the ways that he is still weaving his queerness into his songwriting. The newspaper asked him about Green Day's opinions on the moral panic surrounding transgender youth, to which the singer responded, "I just think they're fucking close-minded." "It's like people are afraid of their children," he told the newspaper. "Why would you be afraid? Why don't you let your kid just be the kid that they are?"[91][92]

Relationships and sexuality

Armstrong has identified himself as bisexual, saying in a 1995 interview with The Advocate, "I think I've always been bisexual. I mean, it's something that I've always been interested in. I think people are born bisexual, and it's just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling of, 'Oh, I can't.' They say it's taboo. It's ingrained in our heads that it's bad, when it's not bad at all. It's a very beautiful thing."[93][94] In February 2014, he again discussed his bisexuality in a Rolling Stone article about the Green Day album Dookie, which he described as "touch[ing] on bisexuality a lot".[95]

Armstrong met his first serious girlfriend, Arica Pelino, at 924 Gilman Street on his 16th birthday. She became known as the "first official Green Day fan," listening to the first four-track recordings by Armstrong and Sean Hughes, encouraging the band, touring with them and acting as an occasional photographer for them.[96][97][98] She inspired many of Green Day's songs, including "Christie Road", which was written about the local railroad tracks where she and Armstrong would sneak out to meet.[99] When Armstrong began living in punk houses and warehouses at the age of seventeen, including the warehouse above a West Oakland brothel which ultimately inspired the song "Welcome to Paradise",[100] she would often stay with him, later saying, "I would stay with him sometimes in these warehouses full of crusty punks."[100] The couple split in late 1991. Arica is the sister of former Green Day touring member Mike Pelino and the sister-in-law of Janna White, who is married to Green Day touring guitarist Jason White.[further explanation needed]

Shortly after his split with Pelino, Armstrong began dating a woman he has identified only as "Amanda". She produced and distributed her own fan zine and was an "iron-willed" feminist, which enthralled Armstrong.[101] Amanda, however, was unimpressed with Armstrong; though the couple dated for some time, she ultimately left him in 1994 and joined the Peace Corps, leaving him feeling suicidal.[102] Armstrong stated in an interview with Spin about the inspiration behind the Green Day song "Armatage Shanks" in 1995: "It was right before Dookie came out and I was really at odds with myself. I was like, 'Man, do I really want to do this?' A lot of time I was thinking about suicide, how it's so easy to kill yourself, but it's so hard to stay alive. I was in a break-up with my then-girlfriend, a total, raving punk rocker who didn't approve of me being on a major label. She moved down to Ecuador saying she couldn't live in a world with McDonald's and such. It was fucking me up pretty bad."[103] Armstrong has written many songs about Amanda, both during their relationship and afterwards, including "She", "Good Riddance", "Stuart and the Ave", "Sassafras Roots", "Amanda", "She's a Rebel", "Extraordinary Girl", and "Whatsername". The character of Whatsername on the album American Idiot, and in the American Idiot musical, is based on Amanda.[104]

In 1990, Armstrong met Adrienne Nesser (the sister of professional skateboarder Steve Nesser) at one of Green Day's early performances in Minneapolis. They married on July 2, 1994, with Nesser discovering that she was pregnant the day after their wedding. Their first son, Joseph Marciano "Joey" Armstrong, was born on February 28, 1995. Joey went on to play drums in the Oakland-based band SWMRS. Their second son, Jakob Danger Armstrong, was born on September 12, 1998. Jakob is a guitarist and singer-songwriter who released his first material online in 2015 and currently plays with the band Ultra Q (formerly Mt. Eddy). In a February 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Armstrong described his sudden marriage and fatherhood: "I was very impulsive at that time. I think that impulsive behavior was meant to counteract the chaos in my life."[95]

Awards

Year Award Presented By
2008 50 Sexiest People in Rock (#1)[105] (Readers Choice) Kerrang!
2010 Top Frontmen of All Time (#25)[106] (Readers Choice) Gibson

Discography

Solo releases

Albums
Singles

Green Day

Pinhead Gunpowder

Vocals and guitar on all

The Network

Foxboro Hot Tubs

The Boo

  • The Boo (EP) (2011) – bass

The Shrives

  • Turn Me On (EP) (2015) – bass

The Longshot

  • The Longshot (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
  • Love Is for Losers (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
  • Devil's Kind (Single) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
  • Bullets (Single) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
  • Razor Baby (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
  • Return to Sender (EP) (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Riding in Vans with Boys Himself Documentary of The Pop Disaster Tour
2004 Disease Is Punishment Fink
2005 Bullet in a Bible Himself
2006 Live Freaky! Die Freaky! Charles Manson Voice
2007 The Simpsons Movie Himself Voice
2008 Heart Like a Hand Grenade
2011 Awesome as Fuck
2012 One Nine Nine Four
This Is 40
2013 ¡Cuatro!
Broadway Idiot St. Jimmy
2014 Like Sunday, Like Rain Dennis
2016 Ordinary World Perry Miller

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 King of the Hill Face Voice
Episode: "The Man Who Shot Cane Skretteburg"
2001 Behind the Music Himself Episode: "Green Day"
2002 Haunted Irv Kratser Episode: "Simon Redux"
2010 Behind the Music: Remastered Himself Episode: "Green Day"
2012 Nurse Jackie Jackie's Pickup Episode: "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black"
The Voice Himself 5 episodes
2016 Drunk History Charlie Chaplin Episode: "Legends"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Himself Likeness
2010 Green Day: Rock Band Also likeness and archive footage

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2010–2011 American Idiot St. Jimmy 76 performances

References

  1. ^ a b Egerdahl, Kjersti (2010). Green Day: A Musical Biography. Greenwood Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780313365973. Armstrong briefly played guitar in the hardcore band Corrupted Morals, another Lookout! band.
  2. ^ Darus, Alex (March 22, 2019). "Billie Joe Armstrong rocking a backyard gig at 16 is straight punk". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  3. ^ "From Sex Pistols to The Clash: Punk rock's 10 greatest guitarists of all time". Far Out. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  4. ^ "20 greatest punk-rock guitarists of all time". Alternative Press. March 16, 2022. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  5. ^ "The 100 greatest guitarists of all time". Guitar World. July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  6. ^ Cazza. "Entrevista con Adeline Records". bigbombopunk.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014.
  7. ^ Driven: Green Day (VH1). Event occurs at 2:05. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Else, Loren (February 17, 2016). "Today in History: Yellow ribbons tied on trees and light standards". Post Bulletin. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  9. ^ "Son's on a roll, but mom's the rock". East Bay Times. May 13, 2007. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e Colapinto, John (November 17, 2005), "Working Class Heroes Archived July 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine". Rolling Stone. (987):50–56
  11. ^ "Potenza, il leader dei Green Day è di origini lucane". la Repubblica (in Italian). February 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Childers, Chad (July 19, 2015). "Hear 5-Year-Old Billie Joe Armstrong Singing 'Look for Love'". LoudWire. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Look for Love". Record Mecca. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  14. ^ Armstrong, Billie Joe (2005). "The Sex Pistols". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2006.
  15. ^ "YouTube". January 26, 2017. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Metropolis – Music and Concerts: Green Day". Archive.metropolis.co.jp. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  17. ^ "10 Questions for Billie Joe Armstrong". Time. June 28, 2010. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "Pinhead Gunpowder". Punk News. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  19. ^ Myers, Ben. "Green Day: American Idiot and the New Punk Explosion Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine" April 2006.
  20. ^ Spitz, 2006. pg. 150
  21. ^ a b c Spitz, 2006. pg. 151
  22. ^ Sheffield, Rob (September 30, 2004). "Green Day's American Idiot". Rolling Stone. New York City. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  23. ^ Sheffield, Rob (April 27, 2009). "Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  24. ^ "Green Day Side Project Releases New Single". NME. April 1, 2008. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  25. ^ Paul, Aubin (May 6, 2008). "Foxboro Hot Tubs--Stop Drop and Roll!!! (2008)". Punk News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  26. ^ Young, Alex (December 6, 2010). "Check Out: Rodeo Queens (Green Day + Jesse Malin) – 'Depression Times'". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  27. ^ Downs, David (September 2, 2009). "Review of American Idiot". Eastbayexpress.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  28. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (September 29, 2010). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Makes American Idiot Debut". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  29. ^ Blank, Matthew (September 29, 2010). "Billie Joe Armstrong Debuts in Broadway's American Idiot". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 2, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  30. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong to Return to American Idiot". Broadway World. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010.
  31. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (April 11, 2012). "Green Day To Release First Disc In Album Trilogy This September". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  32. ^ [1] [dead link]
  33. ^ Rachel, T. Cole (October 23, 2013). "Q&A: Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones Unveil Duets LP + Hear 'Long Time Gone'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on April 4, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  34. ^ Willman, Chris (September 22, 2012). "Green Day's Epic Punk Tantrum Becomes The Talk of iHeartRadio Festival, Day 1 | Maximum Performance (NEW) – Yahoo Music". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  35. ^ "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has onstage meltdown, will seek treatment: Favorite People". The Oregonian. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  36. ^ Sperounes, Sandra. "Album review: Green Day's ¡Uno! | Edmonton Journal". Blogs.edmontonjournal.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  37. ^ "NEWS – Green Day Official News". Greenday.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  38. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong Seeks Substance Abuse Treatment". UpVenue. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  39. ^ Martens, Todd (September 24, 2012). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong rants in Las Vegas, off to rehab". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  40. ^ "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong had been 'drinking a lot' the night of his breakdown". NME. September 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  41. ^ "Hicks: Billie Joe Armstrong was sober for a year until last weekend – San Jose Mercury News". Mercury News. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  42. ^ a b Fricke, David (March 14, 2013). "Billie Joe Armstrong: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  43. ^ a b RollingStoneMagazine-issue-1178-March14-2013-Pg39
  44. ^ "CANOE – JAM! Music: Green Day scrap upcoming tour". Jam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ^ Michaud, Chris (January 2, 2013). "Green Day announce return to touring in March". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  46. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong on pill-popping: Backpack sounded like 'giant baby's rattle'". The Star-Ledger. February 28, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  47. ^ "Lonely Island's The Wack Album". Laist.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  48. ^ Yamato, Jen (September 19, 2013). "Leighton Meester, Billie Joe Armstrong, Debra Messing To Star in Frank Whaley's 'Like Sunday, Like Rain'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  49. ^ "2014 Info". Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  50. ^ Healy, Patrick (March 14, 2013). "Billie Joe Armstrong to Write Songs for Yale Repertory Theater Show". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  51. ^ "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Joins the Replacements at Coachella". Rolling Stone. April 19, 2014. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  52. ^ "The Replacements Played Another Festival Set With Billie Joe Armstrong". Stereogum. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  53. ^ "Log in — Instagram". iconosquare.com.[permanent dead link]
  54. ^ Dave McNary (November 10, 2014). "Judy Greer, Fred Armisen Join Billie Joe Armstrong in 'Geezer' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018.
  55. ^ "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Lands Role in 'Geezer'". Loudwire. November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015.
  56. ^ Nordine, Michael (October 12, 2016). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Is Entirely Credible Acting in the Comic Drama 'Ordinary World'". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018.
  57. ^ Monroe, Jazz (August 11, 2016). "Green Day Announce New Album Revolution Radio". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  58. ^ Cush, Andy (July 14, 2017). "Billie Joe and Tim Armstrong Form Punk Supergroup 'The Armstrongs'". Spin (magazine). Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  59. ^ Cook-Wilson, Winston (April 20, 2018). "Billie Joe Armstrong's New Band The Longshot Release First Full Album:Listen". Spin (magazine). Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  60. ^ Dickman, Maggie (April 20, 2018). "Billie Joe Armstrong's New Band, The Longshot, Announce Summer Tour". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  61. ^ Hudak, Joseph (September 4, 2019). "Jesse Malin and Lucinda Williams Celebrate Hard-Fought Survival on 'Sunset Kids'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  62. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Green Day - Father of All". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  63. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Green Day - Saviors". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  64. ^ editorspublished, Total Guitar (May 22, 2020). "How to play guitar like Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong". guitarworld. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  65. ^ WDR 1Live "Cologne Concert 2009-05-09 Archived July 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine" April 2006.
  66. ^ Spitz, Marc (2006). Nobody Likes You: inside the turbulent life, times, and music of Green Day. Hyperion. p. 11. ISBN 9781401302740.
  67. ^ "Gibson USA & Green Day present". Gibson.com. June 24, 2008. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  68. ^ "Gibson USA & Green Day present". Gibson.com. June 24, 2008. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  69. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr". Gibson Guitar Corporation. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  70. ^ Kies, Chris. "Rig Rundown: Green Day". premierguitar.com. Premier Guitar. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  71. ^ Curwen, Trevor (April 8, 2021). "MXR FOD Drive review". guitarworld.com. Guitar World. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  72. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong, leader dei Green Day, scopre le sue origini e riceve la cittadinanza onoraria di Viggiano". Ondanews.it (in Italian). June 24, 2018. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  73. ^ "Project Chimps' mission is to provide lifelong exemplary care to chimpanzees retired from research". projectchimps. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  74. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (September 30, 2024). "Green Day banned from Las Vegas radio stations after Billie Joe Armstrong calls the city 'a shithole'". NME. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  75. ^ Garland, Emma (December 27, 2023). "Green Day announces UK tour and new album 'Saviors'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  76. ^ "About Adeline Records". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  77. ^ "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong to Open Broken Guitars in Oakland". East Bay Express. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  78. ^ "US band Green Day branches out into compostable coffee bags". Financial Times. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  79. ^ De Leon, Eunisse (June 23, 2021). "5 Punk Rock Icons – How to Achieve Their Look". Men style fashion. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  80. ^ Wirt, Sophie (January 5, 2018). "The Kat Von D x Green Day Basket Case Eyeliner Is Here". Allure. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  81. ^ "Artists Lend Voices to Obama Campaign". Rolling Stone. July 10, 2008. Archived from the original on March 29, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  82. ^ "Billie Joe and Adrienne directly endorse Barack Obama for the U.S. presidency". Greendayauthority.com. November 5, 2012. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  83. ^ Billie Joe Armstrong [@billiejoe] (September 19, 2015). "I know there are certain issues that we don't agree on. but I do believe there are issues we can COME TOGETHER on" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  84. ^ "no more lies, no more false equivalence, no more racism, no more sexual assault, no more trump.. no wonder your sons are such fucking assholes.. i am proud to say i am most definitely with her". Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  85. ^ "Green Day say 'fascist' Trump could be a 'puppet for the Illuminati'". NME. November 10, 2016. Archived from the original on June 28, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  86. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (November 3, 2016). "Green Day on Donald Trump and current state of America: 'I can't believe we're still alive'". NME. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  87. ^ "Green Day blame rise of Trump on stupid white people". NME. November 6, 2016. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  88. ^ Greene, Andy (March 27, 2017). "Green Day Talk Trump, 'American Idiot' Legacy, Band's Future". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  89. ^ "@billiejoearmstrong on Instagram - Billie Joe Armstrong endorses Biden-Harris". Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  90. ^ Segarra, Edward (June 26, 2022). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong says he's 'renouncing' US citizenship after Roe v. Wade is overturned". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  91. ^ Factora, James (January 17, 2024). "Green Day's Billie Joe Says the Moral Panic Around Trans Kids is "F*cking Closed-Minded"". Them. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  92. ^ Condon, Ali (January 17, 2024). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong calls anti-trans panic 'f***ing close-minded'". PinkNews. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  93. ^ "AOL Radio – Listen to Free Online Radio – Free Internet Radio Stations and Music Playlists". Spinner.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  94. ^ "Billie Joe Armstrong: Idiot Savant". Out.com. March 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  95. ^ a b Fricke, David (February 3, 2014). "'Dookie' at 20: Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day's Punk Blockbuster". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  96. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  97. ^ "Arica Pelino | Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  98. ^ Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p36
  99. ^ Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p36-37
  100. ^ a b Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p48
  101. ^ Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p69-70
  102. ^ Spitz, M. 2006, Nobody Likes You, p70
  103. ^ Spin, December,1995, p139
  104. ^ Billie Joe Armstrong [@billiejoe] (February 9, 2011). "'She' is about a girl named Amanda. So is Sasafrats roots(title by Mike) and so is 'whatsername' .. Ooh .. That's a good factoid" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  105. ^ "Sexiest people". Kerrang. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  106. ^ "Best frontmen af all time". Gibson.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  107. ^ "I Think We're Alone Now". April 17, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via Spotify.
  108. ^ "The Thing You Do!". August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2020 – via Spotify.
  109. ^ Kerplunk! (CD liner). Green Day. Lookout!. 1992. 0015133-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  110. ^ Nimrod (CD liner). Green Day. Reprise Records. 1997. 0015133-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  111. ^ Warning (CD liner). Green Day. Reprise Records. 2000. 0015133-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  112. ^ American Idiot (CD liner). Green Day. Reprise Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Retrieved September 17, 2023
  113. ^ "21st Century Breakdown - Green Day". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  114. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (October 24, 2023). "Green Day announce album 'Saviors' and share new single". NME. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  115. ^ "Top-Tier Producer Rob Cavallo Captures the 'Big Studio Sound' in Private Studio with Solid State Logic BiG SiX". Solid State Logic. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023. He is currently producing the newest Green Day album due out early next year
  116. ^ "Foxboro Hot Tubs – Stop Drop and Roll!!!". Punknews.org. May 6, 2008. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2013.