Billie Joe Armstong is the youngest of six children, raised in Rodeo, California. His father died when he was ten years old. Billie grew up with his mom and his friends, especially his best friend,
Mike Dirnt. Billie recieved his first guitar when he was ten, from his father. He named the guitar "Blue". In 1988, Armstrong formed a band with Mike Dirnt and Al Sobrante called "Sweet Children". They changed their name to "
Green Day" later, a term used for a day wasted smoking pot. In 1990, Sorbante left the group and was replaced with drummer,
Tre' Cool. Armstrong married Adrienne Nesser on July 2, 1994. Together, they are co-founders of an independent record label, Lookout Records, where he is also in the band called Pinhead Gunpowder. Billie Joe and his wife are still together, and they have two kids, Joseph and Jakob.