Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong is the lead singer of the band Green Day

He, along with bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool were kids from working-class backgrounds who came of age in the underground punk scene in Berkeley. Even though they had previously released two records (1039/Smooth Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk), they announced their arrival with 1994's Dookie, a dynamic blast of exuberant punk-pop that spoke to bored teenagers everywhere. The album eventually sold 15 million copies, earned the band its first Grammy® Award and inspired a raft of imitators. Over the years, Green Day continued to top the charts with their subsequent studio albums Insomniac, Nimrod and Warning, while entertaining millions of fans with their frenetic live shows. But it was their landmark 2004 album American Idiot that launched Green Day into the stratosphere. "Jesus of Suburbia" set the tone by telling a tale of the choice between self destruction and redemption that resonated with listeners of all ages, nationalities and political persuasions. American Idiot debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, earned seven Grammy nominations (winning two, including Best Rock Album) and raised the bar for modern rock and roll. Last year, Green Day released its new album 21st Century Breakdown, which was nominated for three 2010 Grammy Awards and won Best Rock Album. It also spawned two hit singles: the gold "Know Your Enemy," which was the first song ever to top Billboard's Rock, Alternative and Mainstream Rock charts simultaneously; and the platinum "21 Guns," which earned them three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Rock Video. Green Day also took home an American Music Award for Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist.