Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Green Day

Role / Field:

Pioneering American rock band credited with reigniting mainstream punk rock interest.

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Green Day is an American rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their third album Dookie, released through Reprise Records, became a breakout success and eventually shipped over 20 million copies in the United States. Green Day has been credited with reigniting mainstream interest in punk rock. Before taking its current name in 1989, the band was named Sweet Children.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

They were part of the late 1980s and early 1990s Bay Area punk scene that emerged from 924 Gilman Street, a club in Berkeley, California. The band's early releases were with Lookout! Records, including their first album 39/Smooth (1990). For most of the band's career, they have been a power trio with Cool, who replaced John Kiffmeyer in 1990, before the recording of the band's second studio album Kerplunk (1991). Though the albums Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997), and Warning (2000) did not match the success of Dookie, they were still successful, with Insomniac and Nimrod reaching double platinum status, while Warning achieved gold.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Green Day's seventh album, a rock opera...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Green Day