Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong (born 17 February 1960 or 1963 in Oakland, California) is an American musician and the lead singer and guitarist for the punk 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
Armstrong performing in 2013
Background information
Also known as	Fink Wilhelm Fink Reverend Strychnine Twitch
Born	(1963-02-17) February 17, 1963 Oakland, California, U.S.
Origin	Rodeo, California, U.S.
Genres	Punk rock pop punk alternative rock new wave garage rock power pop skate punk hardcore punk pop rock
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter record producer actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards harmonica drums
Years active	1975 or 1978 –present
Labels	Fiat Reprise Lookout Adeline Recess Warner Crush Music Joe Robot

Early life

He was born in Oakland, California. He is of English, German, Irish, Italian, Mexican, Native American, Scottish, Spanish and Welsh descent.

Music career

Armstrong was given his first guitar "Blue", a Fernandes Stratocaster, 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 Edwin Wright III (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.

Personal life

He is married and lives in Berkeley, California with his wife Adrienne Armstrong and two sons Jakob and Joseph.

Armstrong has considered himself to be Independent with left-wing causes, and endorsed Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden. He described Donald Trump as a fascist and in an inflammatory statement compared him to Adolf Hitler, prior to describing him as a puppet!

Related pages

• List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people