A Well Known Musician
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American musician best known as the lead singer and guitarist of Green Day. This punk rock band is largely credited with reviving mainstream interest in punk rock during the 1990s.
Armstrong is also a member of other bands, including Pinhead Gunpowder, Foxboro Hot Tubs and The Network. His struggle with drugs and alcohol culminated in an on-stage rant that occurred in 2012.
Musical Career
Armstrong became interested in music at an early age, recording his first song when he was five year old. He met Mike Dirnt in elementary school and they formed the band Sweet Children when they were 15 years old.
They later changed the band’s name to Green Day, which went on to achieve enormous commercial success. Armstrong has also collaborated with many other musicians on various projects.
On-Stage Meltdown
Armstrong’s public meltdown occurred on Sept. 21, 2012, which was widely attributed to alcohol abuse. Green Day was performing at the iHeartRadio Musical Festival in Las Vegas. The band was playing its 1994 hit “Basket Case” when Armstrong stopped the performance.
He then began criticizing the promoters for cutting the set short in a rant filled with expletives, before walking off stage. The other band members later released an apology on Sept. 23, 2012, adding that the set had not been cut short.
Starting Rehab
Green Day also stated that Armstrong would be seeking rehabilitation for substance abuse, although the statement did not name the specific drugs. The band canceled its remaining concert dates and other appearances for the remainder of 2012 and early 2013.
A source close to Armstrong reported that he began to show signs of heavy drinking shortly before the iHeartMusic Festival, after being sober for about one year.
Armstrong later confirmed that he had been abusing alcohol and prescription drugs used to treat insomnia. He entered into a rehab program on an outpatient basis that lasted for one month.
He added that he began combining pills and alcohol to the point that he didn’t know what he was taking. Armstrong said his withdrawal period was especially difficult and that he spent a lot of time on the bathroom floor.
His Recovery
The band released a trilogy of albums entitled “¡Uno!,” “¡Dos!” and “¡Tré!” after Armstrong’s rehab. However, the promotion of these albums was greatly curtailed due to his treatment. Green Day announced in December 2012 that it would resume its touring schedule in late March.
Finding Help
Sometimes it takes hitting rock-bottom, like Armstrong’s widely publicized and very public meltdown, to decide its time for help. But you don’t have to wait until all hope seems lost. Our counselors can help you find treatment that works today with just a simple phone call.