Green Day
Biography
Green Day is an American rock band that formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987. The principal members are Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals), and Tré Cool (drums). The band was originally formed by Armstrong and Dirnt under the name Sweet Children, with drummer John Kiffmeyer (also known as Al Sobrante). Tré Cool replaced Kiffmeyer in 1990.
Formation and Early Years
Childhood friends Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt founded the band Sweet Children in 1987. They became a popular act in the San Francisco Bay Area's punk scene, particularly at the 924 Gilman Street club. In 1989, they adopted the name Green Day and released their debut EP, 1,000 Hours, on the independent label Lookout! Records. Their first album, 39/Smooth, followed in 1990. After Tré Cool joined, the band released their second album, Kerplunk (1991), which sold a significant number of copies for an independent release and attracted the attention of major record labels.
Breakthrough with Dookie
Green Day signed with Reprise Records for their major-label debut, Dookie, released in 1994. The album was a massive commercial success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide and earning a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. Propelled by hit singles like "Longview," "Basket Case," and "When I Come Around," Dookie is credited with bringing punk rock into the mainstream in the United States. The album's success established Green Day as a leading force in the 1990s punk revival.
Subsequent Releases and Maintained Success
The band followed up Dookie with albums like Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997), and Warning (2000). While these albums did not match the colossal sales of Dookie, they were commercially successful and solidified the band's place in modern rock. Nimrod featured the popular acoustic track "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," which became a significant hit.
American Idiot and Renewed Acclaim
After a period of waning popularity, Green Day released the rock opera American Idiot in 2004. The album was a critical and commercial triumph, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. A politically charged concept album, it resonated with a new generation of fans and earned the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. The album's success was fueled by singles like "American Idiot," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and "Wake Me Up When September Ends." A successful Broadway musical adaptation of the album also won two Tony Awards.
Later Career and Recent Work
Green Day has continued to release successful albums, including 21st Century Breakdown (2009), which also won a Grammy for Best Rock Album, and the trilogy ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré! (2012). They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, their first year of eligibility. Subsequent albums include Revolution Radio (2016), Father of All Motherfuckers (2020), and Saviors (2024). The band has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.