Billie Joe Armstrong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billie Joe Armstrong
Armstrong performing at the Isle of Wight Festival 2024
Born	(1972-02-17) February 17, 1972 (age 53) Oakland, California, U.S.
Other names	Fink Wilhelm Fink Reverend Strychnine Twitch
Occupation	Singer musician songwriter actor businessman
Spouse(s)	Adrienne Nesser ​ (m. 1994)​
Children	2
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Punk rock pop-punk alternative rock new wave garage rock power pop skate punk hardcore punk
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Reprise Lookout Epitaph Fat Wreck Chords
Signature

Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician and actor. He is famous for being the lead singer, guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band Green Day. He started the band with his friend Mike Dirnt in 1987.

Besides Green Day, Armstrong is also the guitarist and singer for the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder. He also sings for Green Day's other bands, like Foxboro Hot Tubs, the Network, and the Coverups. Many critics think he is one of the greatest punk rock guitarists ever.

Armstrong loved music from a very young age and even recorded his first song when he was only five. He met Mike Dirnt in elementary school, and they quickly became friends because they both loved music. When they were 14, they started a band called Sweet Children, which later became Green Day.

He has also worked on many other music projects and has acted in movies and TV shows. Some of these include Like Sunday, Like Rain, Ordinary World, and King of the Hill. .....

Early Life and Beginnings

Billie Joe Armstrong was born in Oakland, California, on February 17, 1972. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in Rodeo, California. His father, Andrew Armstrong, was a jazz musician and truck driver. Sadly, his father passed away from cancer when Billie Joe was 10 years old. The famous Green Day song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" was written in his father's memory.

His mother, Ollie Jackson, worked as a waitress. The restaurant where she worked, Rod's Hickory Pit, was where Armstrong and Mike Dirnt played their first show in 1987.

When he was five, a teacher at his elementary school encouraged him to record a song called "Look for Love." At age 10, he met Mike Dirnt in the school cafeteria. They bonded over their love for bands like Van Halen, the Ramones, and the Replacements. On his 18th birthday, Armstrong left high school to focus on his music career.

Music Career

Starting Green Day

In 1987, when he was 15, Armstrong and his friend Mike Dirnt started a band called Sweet Children. At first, they both played guitar. Later, Dirnt switched to bass, and John Kiffmeyer (also known as Al Sobrante) joined as the drummer. In 1989, they changed their band's name to Green Day.

That same year, Green Day released their first EP, 1,000 Hours. In 1990, they recorded their first album, 39/Smooth. Soon after, Tré Cool became the new drummer for Green Day, and he played on their second album, Kerplunk (1991).

Rise to Fame

With their third album, Dookie (1994), Green Day became a huge success. The album made them one of the most popular rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s. They have sold over 60 million records around the world. After Dookie, they released more successful albums, including Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997), and Warning (2000).

In 1993, Tim Armstrong from the punk band Rancid asked Billie Joe to join his band. Billie Joe said no because Green Day was becoming very successful. However, he did help write Rancid's song "Radio."

Armstrong performing in 2005

Rock Operas and Side Projects

..... A rock opera is an album that tells a single story through its songs. .....

The band's second rock opera, 21st Century Breakdown, came out in 2009 and was also very successful. During this time, Armstrong was also the lead singer of a side project called Foxboro Hot Tubs, which released an album in 2008.

..... The show won two Tony Awards. Armstrong even performed in the musical as the character St. Jimmy for a few weeks in 2010 and 2011.

Recent Years

Armstrong in 2013

In 2012, Green Day released three albums at once: ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!. The next year, Armstrong worked with singer Norah Jones on an album of cover songs called Foreverly.

He has also continued to act. He starred in the 2014 movie Like Sunday, Like Rain and had the lead role in the 2016 film Ordinary World. For this movie, he wrote and performed new songs.

Green Day released the album Revolution Radio in 2016. In 2018, Armstrong started another band called the Longshot and released the album Love Is for Losers. ..... Their newest album, Saviors, was released on January 19, 2024.

Guitars and Music Style

Armstrong performing with his original "Blue" in 2024

Armstrong performing with a replica of "Blue" in 2010

Armstrong's first electric guitar was a Fernandes Stratocaster that he named "Blue." He got it when he was ten years old. His guitar teacher, George Cole, bought the guitar for him. "Blue" is very special to Armstrong and has been used in many Green Day music videos, like "Basket Case" and "Longview." It has stickers on it, including "BJ" for Billie Joe.

Today, Armstrong uses many different guitars, especially Gibson and Fender models. His favorite guitar is a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior that he calls "Floyd." He sometimes gives guitars away to fans who are invited to play on stage with the band.

Besides guitar, Armstrong can also play other instruments. He has recorded parts for songs using the harmonica, mandolin, piano, drums, and bass.

Personal Life

Armstrong receiving honorary citizenship in Viggiano, Italy, in 2018

In 1990, Armstrong met Adrienne Nesser at a Green Day show in Minneapolis. They got married on July 2, 1994, and have two sons.

In 2018, Armstrong was made an honorary citizen of Viggiano, Italy. This is the town where his great-great-grandparents came from. He is also a co-owner of the soccer team Oakland Roots SC.

Armstrong has started several businesses. In 1997, he co-founded a record label called Adeline Records to help other punk bands. In 2015, he opened a guitar shop in Oakland, California, and also started a coffee company called Punk Bunny Coffee.

Political Views

Armstrong often shares his political opinions. He has supported political candidates like Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders. He has also been critical of other politicians. During a New Year's Eve performance in 2024, he changed the lyrics to the song "American ..." to sing, “I’m not a part of a MAGA agenda.”

He has also shown support for transgender people and for Palestine during Green Day concerts.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Foreverly (2013, with Norah Jones)
• No Fun Mondays (2020)

Green Day Albums

• 39/Smooth (1990)
• Kerplunk! (1991)
• Dookie (1994)
• Insomniac (1995)
• Nimrod (1997)
• Warning (2000)
• 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
• ¡Uno! (2012)
• ¡Dos! (2012)
• ¡Tré! (2012)
• Revolution Radio (2016)
• Saviors (2024)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Billie Joe Armstrong para niños