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 most famous as the lead singer, guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band Green Day. He started Green Day with his friend Mike Dirnt in 1987. Billie Joe also sings and plays guitar for other bands like Pinhead Gunpowder, Foxboro Hot Tubs, the Network, the Longshot, and the Coverups.

Billie Joe loved music from a young age. He recorded his first song when he was only five years old. He met Mike Dirnt in elementary school. They quickly became friends because they both loved music. They formed a band called Sweet Children when they were 14. This band later became Green Day. Billie Joe has also worked on many other music projects with different artists.

Besides music, Armstrong has acted in movies and TV shows. Some of these include Like Sunday, Like Rain and Ordinary World. He also helped write the musical American Idiot, which uses Green Day's songs. He even played a character named St. Jimmy in the show on Broadway for a while.

Billie Joe has also started some businesses. In 1997, he created Adeline Records to help other bands. This record company closed in 2017. In 2015, he also helped start Punk Bunny Coffee (which used to be called Oakland Coffee Works).

Early Life and Music Beginnings

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

When he was five, a teacher encouraged him to record a song called "Look for Love." He met Mike Dirnt in the school cafeteria when he was 10. They became instant friends over their shared love for music. His older brothers introduced him to punk rock. He also liked bands like Van Halen and Ramones. His first concert was Van Halen in 1984. Billie Joe dropped out of high school on his 18th birthday to focus on his music career.

Music Career Highlights

In 1987, when he was 15, Armstrong formed a band called Sweet Children with Mike Dirnt. At first, they both played guitar. Later, Mike started playing bass, and they became a three-person band. They changed their name to Green Day in April 1989.

Green Day released their first music, an EP called 1,000 Hours, in 1989. Their first album, 39/Smooth, came out in 1990. Later, Tré Cool became Green Day's drummer in late 1990. Tré played drums on their second album, Kerplunk (1991).

In 1991, Armstrong joined another band called Pinhead Gunpowder. This band still plays shows sometimes.

Green Day became very popular with their third album, Dookie, in 1994. They sold over 60 million records worldwide. Other popular albums followed, like Insomniac (1995) and Nimrod (1997).

Armstrong has worked with many other musicians. He was also part of Green Day's side project, the Network, which released albums in 2003 and 2020. In 2003, he went to New York City to get new ideas for songs. He spent time walking around and playing music in a bar.

Armstrong performing in 2005

In 2004, Green Day released American Idiot, which was a rock opera. This album sold more than 15 million copies. It had hit songs like "American Idiot" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". In 2009, Green Day released another rock opera, 21st Century Breakdown, which was also very successful. Around this time, Armstrong also sang for another Green Day side project called Foxboro Hot Tubs.

The American Idiot album was turned into a Broadway musical in 2009. The musical won two Tony Awards. Armstrong himself played the role of St. Jimmy in the musical for several weeks in 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, Green Day released three albums: ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!. In 2013, Armstrong worked with singer Norah Jones on an album called Foreverly. This album featured their versions of songs by the Everly Brothers.

Recent Projects

Armstrong in 2013

In 2014, Armstrong acted in the film Like Sunday, Like Rain. He won an award for his acting in this movie. He also wrote songs for a musical called These Paper Bullets.

In 2016, he starred in the film Ordinary World. This was his first main acting role. He also wrote and performed new songs for the movie. Critics generally praised his acting.

Green Day released their album Revolution Radio in 2016. In 2017, Armstrong formed a new band called The Armstrongs with Tim Armstrong from the band Rancid.

In 2018, Billie Joe formed another rock band called The Longshot. They released their first album, Love Is for Losers, that same year. The Longshot also went on a summer tour.

Green Day's thirteenth album, Father of All ..., came out in February 2020. Their newest album, Saviors, was released on January 19, 2024.

Musical Style

Armstrong is known for his guitar playing style. He often uses strong, rhythmic guitar chords and melodic guitar solos. He has a unique way of strumming that helps him play powerful chords.

Instruments He Plays

Armstrong performing with his original "Blue" in 2015

Armstrong performing with Fender "Blue" replica in 2010

Billie Joe's first guitar was a red acoustic guitar his father bought him. He got his first electric guitar, a Fernandes Stratocaster, when he was 10. He named this guitar "Blue." His guitar teacher, George Cole, helped him learn to play. "Blue" has a special pickup that makes it sound unique.

"Blue" has been with him since the early days of Green Day. It appears in many Green Day music videos, like "Longview" and "Basket Case". The letters "BJ" on "Blue" stand for Billie Joe.

Today, Armstrong mainly uses Gibson and Fender guitars. He has many Gibson Les Paul Junior guitars. He also has several Fender guitars, including Stratocasters and Jazzmasters. He often gives guitars to audience members who come on stage to play with Green Day. He says his favorite guitar is a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior he calls "Floyd."

Gibson has even made special "signature" Les Paul Junior guitars that are designed like Billie Joe's. He also plays other instruments besides guitar.

Personal Life and Interests

Armstrong receiving his honorary Viggiano citizenship in 2018

In 2018, Billie Joe Armstrong was made an honorary citizen of Viggiano, a town in Italy. His great-great-grandparents came from there. He is also on the board of directors for Project Chimps. This group helps chimpanzees who used to be used for research.

Armstrong is a big fan of soccer. He is one of the owners of the soccer team Oakland Roots SC.

Business Ventures

In 1997, Armstrong helped start Adeline Records. This was a record label for rock and punk rock bands. It closed in 2017.

In 2015, Armstrong opened a guitar shop called Broken Guitars (now Oakland Guitars) in Oakland, California. He also launched a coffee company called Oakland Coffee Works with Mike Dirnt. This company sells organic coffee.

Fashion Style

Armstrong is known for his unique punk fashion style. His style has influenced many of his fans. He even launched an eyeliner product called "Basket Case." He has used eyeliner as part of his look since he started singing.

Political Views (Simplified)

Billie Joe Armstrong has shared his thoughts on politics. He supported Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. He also supported Bernie Sanders in 2016 and 2020. After Sanders lost, he supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. He has been critical of Donald Trump. Armstrong has said he doesn't belong to any specific political party. He sees himself as an independent. He has also spoken out to support transgender people.

Awards

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" (2020)
• "Manic Monday" (2020)
• "That Thing You Do!" (2020)
• "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 Albums

• 39/Smooth (1990) – lead vocals, guitar
• Kerplunk! (1991) – lead vocals, guitar
• Dookie (1994) – lead vocals, guitar
• Insomniac (1995) – lead vocals, guitar
• Nimrod (1997) – lead vocals, guitar
• Warning (2000) – vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica
• American Idiot (2004) – lead and backing vocals, guitar
• 21st Century Breakdown (2009) – lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano
• 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 ... (2020) - lead vocals, guitar
• Saviors (2024) - lead vocals, guitar

Pinhead Gunpowder Albums

Vocals and guitar on all

• Jump Salty (1994)
• Carry the Banner (1994)
• Goodbye Ellston Avenue (1997)
• Shoot the Moon (EP) (1999)
• Compulsive Disclosure (2003)
• West Side Highway (EP) (2008)
• Unt (2024)

The Network Albums

• Money Money 2020 (2003) – guitar, vocals
• Trans Am (2020)
• Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So! (2020) - lead vocals, lead guitar, backing vocals, drums

Foxboro Hot Tubs Albums

• Stop Drop and Roll!!! (2008) – lead vocals

The Boo Albums

• The Boo (EP) (2011) – bass

The Shrives Albums

• Turn Me On (EP) (2015) – bass

The Longshot Albums

• 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

Film and TV Roles

Films

Television Shows

Video Games

Stage Performances

See also

In Spanish: Billie Joe Armstrong para niños