Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong (born 17 February 1972 in Oakland, California) is an American musician and the lead singer and guitarist for the punk/pop band Green Day. He also has numerous side projects as a vocalist, lyricist and guitarist in Foxboro Hot Tubs, Pinhead Gunpowder and The Network.

Billie Joe Armstrong
Background information
Birth name	Billie Joe Armstrong
Born	(1972-02-17) February 17, 1972 Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres	punk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, guitarist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, bass, drums, harmonica, mandolin, saxophone, banjo
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Reprise, Lookout!, Adeline
Associated acts	Green Day, The Network, Pinhead Gunpowder, Foxboro Hot Tubs

Music career

Armstrong was given his first guitar "Blue" at the age of 11 by his father, Andy, who died soon after. He and childhood friend Mike Dirnt started Sweet Children, their first band which eventually developed into Green Day in 1987. They added drummer John Kiffenmeyer (Al Sobrante). Sobrante left the band to go to college as they were making waves and gaining popularity. Frank Wright (famously known as Tre Cool) replaced him as the permanent drummer making the official line up of Green Day in 1989.

The band gained a following in the punk scene in California particularly in the Gilman Street Scene. They released three EPs (1000 hours, 39/Smooth and Slappy) before releasing two LPs, one being a compilation of the EPs (1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hour) in 1991 and Kerplunk later in the same year.

With the release of their first major label album Dookie the band gained worldwide attention. Their intentions were not to sell out but just to make music. Unfortunately the popularity did not do well with the Gilman scene and they were exiled. However, despite those rough years the band became increasingly popular. He is married and lives in Berkeley, California with his wife Adrienne Nesser and two sons Jakob and Joseph.

References

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