Happy birthday, Billie Joe Armstrong

Posted on February 17 2015 by Candy Rock

Categories: #Punk Rock, #Alternative Rock, #1972, #February

Billie Joe Armstrong, vocalist, main songwriter, and guitarist of Green Day

Happy birthday, Billie Joe Armstrong...
Born on February 17 1972 in Oakland, California, U.S., Billie Joe Armstrong is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist mostly known as the vocalist, main songwriter, and guitarist of Green Day.
Billie Joe has cited Hüsker Dü and The Replacements as his major musical influences.
When he was 10, at the school cafeteria, he met Mike Dirnt, and their love of music made them get close rapidly.
In 1987, they formed the band Sweet Children (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (guitar, backing vocals), Sean Hughes (bass, backing vocals), John Kiffmeyer (also known as Al Sobrante)(drums, percussion, backing vocals)).
Yet, Sean Hughes quickly left the band. Then, Mike Dirnt switched to bass.
In April 1989, they changed their name to Green Day. Afterwards they released their first EP 1,000 Hours.
In 1990, Billie Joe formed another band, Pinhead Gunpowder. They released Tründle and Spring, their first EP, in 1991 (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Mike Kirsch (later known as Sarah Kirsch)(guitar, vocals), Bill Schneider (bass, backing vocals), Aaron Cometbus (drums)).
Green Day made their breakout after the release of the album Dookie in 1994 (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals), Tré Cool (drums)).
Bille Joe produced the Riverdales' self-titled debut studio album (1995).
Green Day played on two tracks on Iggy Pop's 2003 album Skull Ring.
The following year, they released their first rock opera, American Idiot, which would become a musical on Broadway in 2009.
In 2008, Pinhead Gunpowder released a self-titled EP, which is also known as West Side Highway (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Jason White (guitar, vocals), Bill Schneider (bass, backing vocals), Aaron Cometbus (drums)).
In 2010, from September 28 to October 3, Billie Joe replaced Tony Vincent in the role of St. Jimmy in American Idiot.
In 2012, he was an assistant mentor for Christina Aguilera's team in the season 3 of The Voice on NBC.
With Norah Jones, he recorded an album of covers from Songs Our Daddy Taught Us by Everly Brothers, titled Foreverly, which was released in November 2013.
In 2014, Billie Joe played several shows with The Replacements as their frontman, Paul Westerberg, was suffering with back problems and was unable to perform properly.
To conclude, we wish a happy birthday and years of rock to Billie Joe Armstrong!

Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day

Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool: Green Day

[french version :
Joyeux anniversaire, Billie Joe Armstrong ...
Né le 17 février 1972 à Oakland, Californie, U.S., Billie Joe Armstrong est un chanteur, auteur-compositeur et multi-instrumentaliste mieux connu en tant que chanteur, compositeur principal, et guitariste de Green Day.
Billie Joe cite Hüsker Dü et The Replacements comme étant ses influences musicales majeures.
A 10 ans, à la cafétéria de l'école, il rencontre Mike Dirnt, et leur amour de la musique fait qu'ils deviennent proches rapidement.
En 1987, ils forment le groupe Sweet Children (lineup : Billie Joe Armstrong (chant, guitare), Mike Dirnt (guitare, choeur), Sean Hughes (basse, choeur), John Kiffmeyer (aussi connu sous le nom de Al Sobrante)(batterie, percussions, choeur)).
Cependant, Sean Hughes quitte le groupe assez vite. C'est alors que Mike Dirnt passe à la basse.
En avril 1989, ils changent leur nom pour Green Day. Peu après, ils sortent leur premier EP 1,000 Hours.
En 1990, Billie Joe forme un autre groupe, Pinhead Gunpowder. ils sortent Tründle and Spring, leur premier EP, en 1991 (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitare, chant), Mike Kirsch (plus tard connu en tant que Sarah Kirsch)(guitare, chant), Bill Schneider (basse, choeur), Aaron Cometbus (batterie)).
Green Day réussit à se faire connaître du grand public après la sortie de l'album Dookie en 1994 (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (chant, guitare), Mike Dirnt (basse, choeur), Tré Cool (batterie)).
Billie Joe produit le premier album éponyme des Riverdales en 1995.
Green Day joue sur deux chansons sur l'album Skull Ring d'Iggy Pop (2003).
L'année suivante, ils sortent leur premier opéra-rock, American Idiot, qui devient une comédie musicale à Broadway en 2009.
En 2008, Pinhead Gunpowder sort un EP éponyme, qui est aussi connu sous le nom de West Side Highway (lineup: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitare, chant), Jason White (guitare, chant), Bill Schneider (basse, choeur), Aaron Cometbus (batterie)).
En 2010, du 28 septembre au 3 octobre, Billie Joe remplace Tony Vincent dans le rôle de St. Jimmy dans American Idiot.
En 2012, il est mentor assistant pour l'équipe de Christina Aguilera dans la saison 3 de The Voice sur NBC.
Avec Norah Jones, il enregistre un album de reprises de chansons de Songs Our Daddy Taught Us de Everly Brothers, nommé Foreverly, qui sort en novembre 2013.
En 2014, Bilie Joe joue plusieurs concerts avec The Replacements car leur chanteur, Paul Westerberg, souffrait de problèmes de dos et ne pouvait pas jouer correctement.
Pour conclure, nous souhaitons un heureux anniversaire et des années de rock à Billie Joe Armstrong !]