Green Day is a popular American rock band. Their sound is heavily influenced by punk rock bands of the late 1970’s. Punk rock has a loud, fast, and energetic sound, and punk rockers bring an angry, rebellious attitude to their music. In 2004, Green Day released the successful album American Idiot, called a “punk rock opera.” The album explored narrow-mindedness in suburban American life through lonely characters. The album was adapted into a musical that opened on Broadway in 2010. American Idiot won a Grammy Award in 2005 for best rock album. The group has also won a number of other Grammy Awards.
Green Day was formed in 1987 in East Bay, California. Its original members were lead singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong (1972-…), bassist Mike Dirnt (Michael Ryan Pritchard, 1972-…), and drummer John Kiffmeyer (1969-…). In 1990, Kiffmeyer left the band and was replaced by the drummer Tré Cool (Frank Edwin Wright III, 1972-…). Armstrong writes most of the band’s material.
Green Day’s first album, 39/Smooth, was released in 1990. Their second album, Kerplunk (1992), released on an independent (small, nonmainstream) record label, became popular. Green Day’s third album, Dookie, released on a major label in 1994, became a commercial success. The album included the hits “Longview,” “Basket Case,” and “When I Come Around.“ Dookie won a 1995 Grammy Award for best alternative album.
Green Day’s other hits include “J.A.R.” (1995), from the sound track for the motion-picture Angus (1995); “Brain Stew/Jaded” (1995); “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” and “Hitchin’ a Ride” (both 1997); “Minority” and “Warning” (both 2000); “American Idiot” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (both 2004); “Know Your Enemy” and ”21 Guns” (both 2009); “Oh Love” (2012); and “Bang Bang” (2016). Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
See also Punk rock .
