Green Day
Formation and early years
Green Day formed in 1987 in Berkeley, California, around Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar) and Mike Dirnt (bass), childhood friends since the age of 10. Tré Cool replaced original drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990. The band emerged from the East Bay punk scene, centered around the legendary venue 924 Gilman Street and the independent label Lookout! Records.
Their early albums, 39/Smooth (1990) and Kerplunk (1991), sold tens of thousands of copies on Lookout!, an impressive achievement for an independent label.
Dookie and the punk-pop explosion
The album Dookie (1994) on Reprise Records sold over 20 million copies and brought punk rock back into the mainstream with hits such as “Basket Case”, “When I Come Around”, and “Longview”. Their move to a major label led to accusations of “betrayal” from the underground punk scene, but the success was massive.
American Idiot and rock opera era
After a difficult period (the master tapes for Cigarettes and Valentines were stolen), American Idiot (2004) became a political rock opera criticizing the era of George W. Bush and the Iraq War. The album sold over 16 million copies, won the Grammy for Best Rock Album, and was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2010.
21st Century Breakdown (2009) confirmed the band’s artistic ambition. Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, only 21 years after Dookie.
Iconic guitar
Billie Joe Armstrong is closely associated with his modified Gibson Les Paul Junior nicknamed “Blue” (acquired in 1990 for $40 in a second-hand shop), as well as his signature Fender Stratocaster models. “Blue” has become one of the most recognizable guitars in punk rock.
