Green Day facts for kids

"Sweet Children" redirects here. For their EP, see Sweet Children (EP).

Quick facts for kids Green Day
(L–R): Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool performing in 2024 on their Saviors Tour
Background information
Also known as	Sweet Children (1987–1989, 2015) Blair Hess (1993)
Origin	Rodeo, California, U.S.
Genres	Punk rock pop-punk alternative rock skate punk power pop
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Lookout Reprise Epitaph Warner

Members	Billie Joe Armstrong Mike Dirnt Tré Cool

Past members	Raj Punjabi Sean Hughes John Kiffmeyer
Logo

Green Day is an American rock band that started in 1987. The band was formed by lead singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt. Drummer Tré Cool joined in 1990, creating the main lineup that fans know today. Green Day is famous for its energetic punk rock and pop-punk music.

The band first became known as Sweet Children. They were part of a lively punk music scene in California. In 1994, they released their album Dookie, which was a huge success. It sold over 20 million copies in the United States and helped make punk rock popular with a new generation of fans.

After Dookie, the band released more successful albums like Insomniac and Nimrod. In 2004, they released American Idiot, a rock opera that told a story through its songs. This album was also very popular and introduced the band to younger listeners.

Green Day has won five Grammy Awards and sold about 75 million records worldwide. This makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In 2015, the band was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor for the most important figures in rock music history.

History of the Band
Musical Style and Lyrics
Band Members
Discography
Images for kids
See also

History of the Band

1987–1993: How Green Day Started

A concert poster from 1990 for bands signed to Lookout! Records, including Green Day.

In 1987, two 15-year-old friends, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, started a band in Rodeo, California. They were first called Sweet Children. They played their first live show on October 17, 1987, at a local restaurant. Soon, drummer John Kiffmeyer joined them, and Mike Dirnt switched from guitar to bass.

In 1988, the owner of Lookout! Records, an independent record label, saw the band play and signed them. The next year, they released their first recording, an extended play (EP) called 1,000 Hours. Before it came out, the band changed its name to Green Day to avoid being confused with another local band.

In 1990, Green Day released its first album, 39/Smooth. After their first tour, drummer John Kiffmeyer left to go to college. He was replaced by Tré Cool, who became the band's permanent drummer. With Tré Cool, the band recorded their second album, Kerplunk, which sold 50,000 copies in the U.S.

1994–1995: Breakthrough with 'Dookie'

The success of Kerplunk got the attention of major record labels. Green Day decided to sign with Reprise Records. The band's producer, Rob Cavallo, had worked with another California band they admired called the Muffs.

In February 1994, Green Day released Dookie. The album was a huge hit. Music videos for the songs "Longview", "Basket Case", and "When I Come Around" were played a lot on MTV. This helped the album sell over 10 million copies in the U.S.

That year, the band played at the famous Woodstock '94 festival. Their performance, which included a massive mud fight with the audience, was seen by millions on TV and made them even more famous. In 1995, Dookie won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album.

1995–2002: Staying Popular

Green Day performing "King for a Day," a song with saxophones and trumpets.

In 1995, Green Day released their fourth album, Insomniac. It had a darker and heavier sound than Dookie. The album was still successful, selling three million copies in the U.S. After touring for the album, the band took a break because they were tired.

The band returned in 1997 with the album Nimrod. This album showed the band trying new things, with different styles of music like folk, surf rock, and ska. The most famous song from the album was the acoustic ballad "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". It became a huge hit and was used in many TV shows.

In 2000, Green Day released Warning. This album had a more folk-punk sound. While it didn't sell as much as their previous albums, it still had hit songs like "Minority". After this album, the band released two compilation albums, International Superhits! and Shenanigans.

2003–2006: The Success of 'American Idiot'

Tré Cool (bottom left) and Mike Dirnt (right) performing in 2005.

In 2003, the band was working on a new album, but the master recordings were stolen from the studio. Instead of re-recording the songs, they decided to start over and create something new. This led to the creation of their next big album.

In September 2004, Green Day released American Idiot. It was a rock opera, which means the songs tell a story. The album follows a character called the "Jesus of Suburbia" and talks about life in modern America. The album was released during a time of political change in the U.S. and became a form of protest for many young people.

American Idiot was a massive success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and sold 6 million copies in the U.S. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. The music video for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" won six awards at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.

Green Day performing live in Germany during their American Idiot World Tour.

The band went on a world tour to support the album. They recorded two concerts in England and released them as a live CD and DVD set called Bullet in a Bible in 2005.

2007–2011: '21st Century Breakdown' and a Broadway Show

Green Day playing a secret show in Berlin, Germany, in 2009.

After the success of American Idiot, the band took some time off before working on new music. In 2009, they released 21st Century Breakdown, another rock opera. The album was also very successful, reaching number one in fourteen countries. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2010.

In 2009, the band worked with director Michael Mayer to turn American Idiot into a stage musical. The show, American Idiot, opened on Broadway in 2010. It was a hit with critics and audiences and won two Tony Awards.

Also in 2010, the band released a video game called Green Day: Rock Band. The game allowed players to perform songs from the albums Dookie, American Idiot, and 21st Century Breakdown.

2012–2018: A Trilogy of Albums and the Hall of Fame

Green Day performing in 2013.

In 2012, Green Day did something unusual. They released three albums in just a few months: ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!. These albums featured the band's longtime touring guitarist, Jason White, as an official member for the first time.

In 2015, Green Day received one of the highest honors in music: they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band Fall Out Boy gave the speech to welcome them.

The band's next album, Revolution Radio, was released in 2016. The first single, "Bang Bang", was written from the point of view of a mass shooter to explore the reasons behind such events. The album was praised by critics for being focused and powerful.

2019–Present: Recent Music and Tours

Armstrong performing with a fan on stage at the Rock am Ring festival in 2022.

In 2020, Green Day released the album Father of All .... That same year, the band announced a major tour called the Hella Mega Tour with other popular rock bands Fall Out Boy and Weezer.

In 2023, the band began teasing new music. They played a new song called "1981" at a festival in Canada. Later that year, they released the single "The American Dream Is Killing Me" and announced their fourteenth studio album, Saviors. The album was released on January 19, 2024.

To promote the album, the band announced The Saviors Tour. They also made a surprise appearance in a New York City subway station with TV host Jimmy Fallon, playing a few songs for commuters. In early 2025, the band performed at the FireAid benefit concert. On May 1, 2025, Green Day received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Musical Style and Lyrics

Green Day's music is often described as punk rock and pop-punk. Their sound is known for fast, energetic guitar riffs and catchy melodies. They have been compared to early punk bands like the Ramones and the Clash. However, the band has also experimented with other styles, like folk, garage rock, and ska.

Billie Joe Armstrong is the main songwriter for the band. His lyrics often talk about topics like growing up, social issues, and politics. He has said that his influences include bands like Hüsker Dü and The Replacements, as well as classic rock bands like the Who and Cheap Trick.