History of Green Day in Timeline
Green Day is an American rock band formed in 1987 by Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, with Tré Cool joining in 1990. They are credited with re-popularizing mainstream interest in punk rock in the U.S., with their major-label debut album Dookie achieving breakout success in 1994. They are considered one of the most influential punk bands alongside groups like Bad Religion and The Offspring.
October 17, 1987: First Live Performance as Sweet Children
On October 17, 1987, Sweet Children (later known as Green Day) had their first live performance at Rod's Hickory Pit in Vallejo, California.
1987: Green Day Formation
In 1987, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt formed Green Day (originally named Blood Rage) in Rodeo, California.
1988: Signed by Lookout! Records
In 1988, Green Day was signed by Larry Livermore, the owner of Lookout! Records, after he saw them play an early show.
1988: John Kiffmeyer Joins the Band
In 1988, John Kiffmeyer replaced Raj Punjabi as the drummer and Mike Dirnt switched to bass when Sean Hughes left the band.
April 1989: Debut EP Release and Name Change
In April 1989, Green Day released their debut extended play, 1,000 Hours, shortly after changing their name from Sweet Children to Green Day.
1989: Band Name Change
In 1989, the band changed its name to Green Day from Blood Rage and Sweet Children.
1990: First Album and Drummer Change
In 1990, Green Day released their first album, 39/Smooth, with Lookout! Records, and Tré Cool replaced John Kiffmeyer as the drummer.
1990: Tré Cool Joins Green Day
In 1990, Tré Cool joined Green Day as the band's drummer.
1990: Album and EP Releases
In early 1990, Green Day released their debut studio album, 39/Smooth, and later that year recorded two extended plays, Slappy and Sweet Children.
1991: Kerplunk Album Release
In 1991, Green Day released their second studio album, Kerplunk.
1991: Re-release and Compilation
In 1991, Lookout! Records re-released 39/Smooth as 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and added songs from the band's first two EPs, Slappy and 1,000 Hours.
1991: Band Members Branch Out
Since 1991, members of the band have branched out past Green Day, starting other projects with various musicians, including Billie Joe Armstrong's Pinhead Gunpowder with Jason White and the Longshot with Jeff Matika, the Frustrators with Mike Dirnt, and the Network.
1992: European Tour
In 1992, Green Day went on tour for most of the year and played a number of shows overseas in Europe.
September 3, 1993: Final Show at 924 Gilman
On September 3, 1993, Green Day played their last show at 924 Gilman under the pseudonym Blair Hess before being banned permanently because of their major label signing.
1993: Recipe for Hate Tour
In 1993, Green Day supported Bad Religion as an opening act for their Recipe for Hate Tour.
February 1994: Dookie Release
In February 1994, Green Day released Dookie, which became a commercial success.
September 9, 1994: Mayhem at Hatch Memorial Shell
On September 9, 1994, during a performance at Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston, mayhem broke out and 100 people were injured and 45 arrested.
1994: Dookie Release and Success
In 1994, Green Day's major-label debut album, Dookie, was released through Reprise Records and achieved breakout success.
1994: Inspired 'New Years Rev'
In 1994, before Green Day's mainstream breakthrough, the band had 'true exploits' which inspired a 'coming-of-age tale' comedy film titled 'New Years Rev'.
1995: "J.A.R." Single Release and Insomniac Album Release
In 1995, Green Day released the single "J.A.R." and their fourth studio album, Insomniac.
1995: Insomniac Album Release
In 1995, Green Day released their fourth album, Insomniac, which achieved double platinum status.
1995: Dookie Grammy Award
In 1995, Green Day's album Dookie won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album.
August 1996: Armstrong discusses discovering punk rock
In August 1996, Billie Joe Armstrong told Guitar World he "can remember a few different instances" of when he first discovered punk rock.
1996: Award Nominations and Tour Cancellation
In 1996, Green Day received award nominations at the American Music Awards and the Grammy's for "Walking Contradiction" but abruptly canceled a European tour, citing exhaustion.
October 1997: Nimrod Album Release
In October 1997, Green Day released Nimrod, an experimental deviation from their standard punk rock sound.
1997: Nimrod Album Release
In October 1997, Green Day released their fifth album, Nimrod, which reached double platinum status.
1998: Nimrod Tour
In late 1997 and most of 1998, Green Day embarked on a tour in support of Nimrod.
1999: Armstrong on Punk Scene
In 1999, Armstrong told Spin magazine, "I couldn't go back to the punk scene, whether we were the biggest success in the world or the biggest failure ... The only thing I could do was get on my bike and go forward."
1999: "Espionage" Featured in Austin Powers
In 1999, Green Day's song "Espionage" was featured in the film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
1999: Jason White Joins Concerts
In 1999, Jason White began supporting the band during concerts as guitarist.
November 2000: Free Show to Protest Evictions
In November 2000, Green Day performed for free on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall to protest the eviction of artists from the city.
2000: Warning Album Release and Warped Tour
In 2000, Green Day released their folk-punk-inspired sixth studio album, Warning, and participated in that year's Warped Tour.
2000: Warning Album Release
In 2000, Green Day released their sixth album, Warning, which achieved gold status.
2001: California Music Awards Sweep
At the 2001 California Music Awards, Green Day won all eight of the awards for which it was nominated, including Outstanding Album for Warning and Outstanding Group.
2001: Armstrong on Band Name
In 2001, Armstrong admitted he considered Green Day to be "the worst band name in the world".
2001: Independent Tour
In 2001, Green Day launched an independent tour to support the album Warning.
2002: Pop Disaster Tour
In Spring 2002, Green Day co-headlined the Pop Disaster Tour with Blink-182.
2004: American Idiot Album Release
In 2004, Green Day released their seventh album, American Idiot, which sold six million copies in the U.S.
September 2006: Collaboration with U2 for "The Saints Are Coming" Cover
In September 2006, Green Day collaborated with U2 and producer Rick Rubin to record a cover of the song "The Saints Are Coming", originally recorded by the Skids, with an accompanying video to benefit Music Rising.
December 2006: Partnership with NRDC to Raise Awareness on Oil Dependency
In December 2006, Green Day and NRDC opened a web site in partnership to raise awareness on America's dependency on oil.
2006: Noel Gallagher's Complaint about "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
In 2006, Noel Gallagher of Oasis semi-jokingly complained that Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" ripped off his song "Wonderwall".
July 23, 2007: Release of The Simpsons Movie theme song as a single
On July 23, 2007, Green Day's version of The Simpsons Movie theme song was released as a single.
May 20, 2008: Release of Stop Drop and Roll!!! by Foxboro Hot Tubs
On May 20, 2008, Green Day released an album titled Stop Drop and Roll!!! under the name Foxboro Hot Tubs, which the band uses to book secret shows.
2008: Grammy nomination for Working Class Hero
In 2008, Green Day's cover of "Working Class Hero" was nominated for a Grammy Award, but lost to The White Stripes' "Icky Thump".
September 15, 2009: Premiere of American Idiot Musical at Berkeley Rep
On September 15, 2009, the stage musical adaptation of Green Day's rock opera American Idiot premiered at the Berkeley Rep, directed by Michael Mayer.
October 2009: Green Day Art Project Exhibition in London
In October 2009, a Green Day art project, supported by the band and led by manager Pat Magnarella, was exhibited at StolenSpace Gallery in London, showcasing artworks created for each of the songs on 21st Century Breakdown.
2009: 21st Century Breakdown Album Release
In 2009, Green Day released 21st Century Breakdown, which achieved the band's best chart performance.
June 2010: Armstrong cites the Ramones as an influence
In June 2010, Armstrong cited the Ramones as an influence. He also said his "range of favorite songwriters goes anywhere from the Sex Pistols to Lennon–McCartney."
2010: American Idiot on Broadway
In 2010, a stage adaptation of American Idiot debuted on Broadway, receiving Tony Award nominations.
April 13, 2011: American Idiot film adaptation confirmed
On April 13, 2011, a film version of American Idiot was confirmed, to be directed by Michael Mayer and produced by Green Day, Pat Magnarella, Playtone (Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman) and Tom Hulce.
December 2011: Armstrong forms The Boo
In December 2011, Billie Joe Armstrong formed a family band called the Boo which recorded a one-off Christmas record for their friends and family, making a few copies available in a local store.
September 21, 2012: Armstrong's Rant and Guitar Smashing at iHeartRadio Festival
On September 21, 2012, during Green Day's performance at the iHeartRadio music festival, Armstrong stopped while performing "Basket Case", ranting against the perceived shortening of the group's time slot, smashed his guitar, and walked off the stage.
December 2012: ¡Tré! Album Release
In December 2012, Green Day released ¡Tré!, the third album in their trilogy.
January 23, 2013: Announcement of Broadway Idiot Documentary Release
On January 23, 2013, it was announced that a documentary called Broadway Idiot, showing Armstrong's journey from punk rock to Broadway and behind-the-scenes of the American Idiot musical production, was to be released, directed by Doug Hamilton.
January 30, 2013: Release of Broadway Idiot Documentary Trailer
On January 30, 2013, the trailer for the documentary Broadway Idiot was released.
March 15, 2013: Premiere of Broadway Idiot Documentary at SXSW
On March 15, 2013, the documentary Broadway Idiot premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival.
April 2015: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2015, their first year of eligibility.
2015: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In 2015, Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
2016: Green Day makes amends with Clear Channel by playing Revolution Radio release party
In 2016, Green Day made amends with Clear Channel, the company behind the 2012 iHeartRadio incident, and played an album release party for their album Revolution Radio.
2016: Revolution Radio Album Release
In 2016, Green Day released Revolution Radio, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
2016: Billie Joe Armstrong appears in Ordinary World
In 2016, Lee Kirk, who would later write and direct the comedy film 'New Years Rev', previously worked with Billie Joe Armstrong on the 2016 'Ordinary World', in which the latter had made an appearance.
July 7, 2017: Green Day headlines Mad Cool Festival after Acrobat Fatality
On July 7, 2017, Green Day headlined the Mad Cool festival in Madrid shortly after an acrobat's fatal fall, sparking controversy for continuing the show despite the tragedy.
2017: Executive Producers of Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk
In 2017, Green Day served as executive producers of Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk, a documentary film about the San Francisco Bay area punk scene.
January 2018: Armstrong, Dirnt and White form The Coverups
In January 2018, Armstrong, Dirnt and White played in the band the Coverups along with Green Day audio engineer Chris Dugan and tour manager Bill Schneider. The band sporadically performs one-off shows, usually in small clubs, and cover the songs of classic rock and alternative rock bands such as Cheap Trick, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Clash, and Nirvana.
April 13, 2019: Woodstock 1994 vinyl release
On April 13, 2019, Green Day released their Woodstock 1994 performance on vinyl for Record Store Day. The release included all 9 songs played live, and audio of the mud fight.
September 10, 2019: Hella Mega Tour announcement and "Father of All..." release
On September 10, 2019, Green Day announced the Hella Mega Tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer. They also released the single "Father of All..." from their upcoming album, Father of All Motherfuckers.
September 30, 2019: Agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL)
On September 30, 2019, Green Day signed a two-year agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL).
October 9, 2019: "Fire, Ready, Aim" single release
On October 9, 2019, Green Day released "Fire, Ready, Aim," the second single from their album, Father of All Motherfuckers.
2019: Green Day return to iHeartRadio festival supporting Father of All Motherfuckers
In 2019, Green Day returned to the iHeartRadio festival supporting the album Father of All Motherfuckers.
January 16, 2020: "Oh Yeah!" single release
On January 16, 2020, Green Day released "Oh Yeah!", the third single from their album, Father of All Motherfuckers.
February 7, 2020: Father of All Motherfuckers album and "Meet Me on the Roof" single release
On February 7, 2020, Green Day released their album Father of All Motherfuckers, along with the album's fourth single, "Meet Me on the Roof".
April 6, 2020: Armstrong reveals new songs
On April 6, 2020, Billie Joe Armstrong revealed that he had written six songs with intentions to record new music with Green Day once the COVID-19 pandemic had passed.
May 21, 2020: "Dreaming" cover release
On May 21, 2020, Green Day released a cover of Blondie's "Dreaming".
October 30, 2020: The Network teases upcoming activity
On October 30, 2020, Green Day's secret side project, the Network, teased upcoming activity with a video titled "The Prophecy" and mentioned their upcoming sequel album.
November 2, 2020: The Network releases "Ivankkka Is a Nazi"
On November 2, 2020, The Network, released a music video for their first song in 17 years, named "Ivankkka Is a Nazi".
November 20, 2020: The Network releases Trans Am EP
On November 20, 2020, the Network released an EP titled Trans Am.
December 4, 2020: The Network releases Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!
On December 4, 2020, The Network released their second album, Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!.
2020: Father of All Motherfuckers Album Release
In 2020, Green Day released Father of All Motherfuckers.
February 21, 2021: "Here Comes the Shock" single release
On February 21, 2021, Green Day released the single "Here Comes the Shock".
May 17, 2021: "Pollyanna" single release
On May 17, 2021, Green Day released the single "Pollyanna".
November 5, 2021: "Holy Toledo!" single release
On November 5, 2021, Green Day released the single "Holy Toledo!", which was also featured in the soundtrack of the film Mark, Mary & Some Other People.
December 10, 2021: BBC Sessions album release
On December 10, 2021, Green Day released their fourth live album, BBC Sessions.
2021: Armstrong condemns "pop-punk" label
In 2021, Billie Joe Armstrong condemned the band's labeling as "pop-punk" by critics in a Vulture magazine interview, stating he never liked the term and didn't consider himself a pop artist.
October 26, 2022: Green Day to headline Innings Festival
On October 26, 2022, Green Day was announced as a headliner for the fifth annual Innings Festival in Arizona.
July 16, 2023: Green Day performs "1981" live
On July 16, 2023, Green Day played a new song titled "1981" during their live performance at Festival d'été de Québec.
September 30, 2023: Green Day to perform at Grey Cup Halftime Show
On September 30, 2023, Green Day was announced as the halftime show performer at the 110th Grey Cup.
October 19, 2023: Live performance of "The American Dream Is Killing Me"
On October 19, 2023, Green Day played the first song, "The American Dream Is Killing Me", during a live show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and announced the Saviors Tour, which first North American leg was joined by the Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and the Linda Lindas.
October 22, 2023: Live performance of "Look Ma, No Brains!"
On October 22, 2023, Green Day played a song, titled "Look Ma, No Brains!", from the upcoming album during the When We Were Young Festival.
October 24, 2023: New album announcement
On October 24, 2023, Green Day announced the title of their new album as Saviors, and released the album's first single, "The American Dream Is Killing Me".
November 2, 2023: "Look Ma, No Brains!" single release
On November 2, 2023, Green Day released "Look Ma, No Brains!" as the second single from their upcoming album Saviors.
December 4, 2023: "Dilemma" single announcement
On December 4, 2023, Green Day announced the upcoming release of "Dilemma" as the third single from their album Saviors.
December 7, 2023: "Dilemma" single release
On December 7, 2023, Green Day released "Dilemma" as the third single from their album Saviors, three days after it was announced.
January 5, 2024: "One Eyed Bastard" single release
On January 5, 2024, Green Day released "One Eyed Bastard" as the fourth single from the album Saviors.
January 16, 2024: Surprise performance in New York subway
On the evening of January 16, 2024, Green Day appeared in a surprise performance in the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station of the New York subway system, with late-night host Jimmy Fallon joining them on tambourine to help draw attention to the upcoming album and tour, and played several songs, including the recent single "Look Ma, No Brains", "Basket Case", and "American Idiot."
January 19, 2024: Saviors album and "Bobby Sox" music video release
On January 19, 2024, Green Day simultaneously released their album Saviors, along with a music video for "Bobby Sox".
February 10, 2024: Announcement of New Years Rev Comedy Film
On February 10, 2024, Live Nation Productions announced a comedy film titled New Years Rev, inspired by Green Day's early exploits, with production underway in Oklahoma and Lee Kirk as writer and director, featuring Green Day band members as producers and actors.
July 23, 2024: "Corvette Summer" music video release
On July 23, 2024, Green Day released a music video for "Corvette Summer".
September 20, 2024: Armstrong criticizes Las Vegas at Oracle Park concert
On September 20, 2024, during a show in San Francisco at Oracle Park, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong expressed his anger over the Athletics leaving Oakland, criticized Las Vegas, and cursed A's owner John Fisher, resulting in two Las Vegas radio stations banning Green Day's music.
2024: Record Sales and Grammy Nominations
As of 2024, Green Day has sold roughly 75 million records worldwide and has been nominated for 20 Grammy Awards, winning five.
January 30, 2025: FireAid benefit concert
On January 30, 2025, Green Day opened for the FireAid benefit concert, hosted by both Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. The band opened with a duet of "Last Night on Earth" with Billie Eilish, followed by "Still Breathing", and "When I Come Around".
April 9, 2025: "Smash It Like Belushi" single release
On April 9, 2025, Green Day released "Smash It Like Belushi" as the first single from the deluxe edition of Saviors.
May 1, 2025: Green Day receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On May 1, 2025, Green Day received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
May 2, 2025: "Ballyhoo" single release
On May 2, 2025, Green Day released "Ballyhoo" as the second single from the deluxe edition of Saviors.
May 23, 2025: Saviors deluxe release
On May 23, 2025, Green Day released the deluxe edition of the album Saviors.
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