Check out Green Day at Citi Field on Monday, August 5th!
Green Day is an American punk-rock band formed in 1987 by lead vocalists and guitarist Billy Joe Armstrong, alongside bassist Mike Dirnt. The East Bay, California band was a hit among the low-key punk-rock scene in California clubs and was eventually signed onto Lookout! Records. Green Day (originally known as Blood Rage and then Sweet Children), released their debut album 39/Smooth in 1990. Before releasing their second album, the band recruited drummer Tré Cool to be part of their three-man band, replacing John Kiffmeyer. Kerplunk was released in 1991 to huge success and brought the attention of larger record companies to Green Day’s door.
It wasn’t until their third studio album, Dookie, that things really took off for the band. MTV exclusively played the music videos for three of the songs from the album, including “Longview,” “When I Come Around,” and “Basket Case.” More notoriety came to the band after performing at Lollapalooza and the infamous Woodstock ‘94 festival, where the band started a mud fight during their performance. Dookie went on to sell over 10 million copies in the United States.
The band has had a steady stream of success throughout the years, but it wasn’t until their seventh studio album, American Idiot, dropped in 2004 that the band had experienced renewed success in the industry. The album, told in a rock-opera style, follows the “Jesus of Suburbia” who rejects control by corrupt leaders, misleading media, and radical agendas. American Idiot was the first Green Day album to become number one on the Billboard Charts.
Green Day has been credited, alongside many other 90s bands, with popularizing mainstream punk in the U.S. With their massive success, the band created a 2010 Broadway stage adaptation of their best-selling album, American Idiot. The Broadway hit was nominated for three Tony Awards and won two. The group has even had their own version of Rock Band, released the same year as their musical.
Green Day has won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Best Alternative Album, and Best Rock Album, and several MTV Awards. In 2015, Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their contribution to the music industry. In 2021, Green Day began their Hella Mega Tour, alongside legendary punk-rock bands Fall Out Boy and Weezer, combining their forces to give their fans an unforgettable set of performances.
Green Day will be celebrating both the 30th anniversary of Dookie (1994) and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot (2004) on the tour by playing both albums in full!
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
Check out 24 albums turning 15 in 2023 HERE.
