Green Day
- Born:
- May 8, 1972 (Billie Joe Armstrong), February 9, 1972 (Michael Ryan Pritchard), April 17, 1972 (Frank Edwin Wright III)
- Place of Birth:
- Oakland, CA (Armstrong), Berkeley, CA (Pritchard), Frankfurt, West Germany (Wright)
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Musicians, Songwriters, Record Producers
Early Life and Education
- Billie Joe Armstrong showed early musical talent, recording his first song at age five.
- Michael Ryan Pritchard (Mike Dirnt) and Armstrong met in elementary school and bonded over their shared musical interests.
- Frank Edwin Wright III (Tré Cool) began playing drums at age twelve.
Career and Major Achievements
- Green Day formed in 1987 in the East Bay area of California.
- The band gained popularity in the early 1990s with the release of their major-label debut album, Dookie (1994), which achieved diamond status in the US.
- Dookie won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album in 1995.
- Their rock opera, American Idiot (2004), revitalized their career and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2005. The success of American Idiot has since been studied in several "green day history biography projects".
- Green Day has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
Notable Works
Discography
| Album Title | Year Released | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 39/Smooth | 1990 | Lookout! |
| Kerplunk | 1991 | Lookout! |
| Dookie | 1994 | Reprise |
| Insomniac | 1995 | Reprise |
| Nimrod | 1997 | Reprise |
| Warning | 2000 | Reprise |
| American Idiot | 2004 | Reprise |
| 21st Century Breakdown | 2009 | Reprise |
| ¡Uno! | 2012 | Reprise |
| ¡Dos! | 2012 | Reprise |
| ¡Tré! | 2012 | Reprise |
| Revolution Radio | 2016 | Reprise |
| Father of All Motherfuckers | 2020 | Reprise |
| Saviors | 2024 | Reprise |
Awards and Recognition
- 5 Grammy Awards
- MTV Video Music Awards
- American Music Awards
Legacy and Impact
Green Day is credited with popularizing punk rock and bringing it to a mainstream audience. Their music has influenced countless artists and continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Their social and political commentary, particularly on albums like American Idiot, has made them a voice for a generation.