From 1987 to Super Bowl LX: how old is Billie Joe Armstrong and how long has Green Day been active?
Billie Joe Armstrong was a teenager when Green Day formed in 1987. Now, at 54, he’s opening Super Bowl LX with a band that’s lasted almost four decades.
Green Day is preparing to open Super Bowl LX with a special anniversary performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and this is far from their first rodeo. The band has been around for generations and they’re still proving that age is just a number.
Billie Joe Armstrong still rocking at 54
Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer, guitarist and co-founder of Green Day, was born on February 17, 1972, in Rodeo, California. That means he’ll be less than a week away from 54 years old at the time of the Super Bowl, still actively performing and fronting the band more than three decades after their first shows.
Armstrong’s longevity as a performer is particularly impressive given Green Day’s punk beginnings, when youth and rebellion were at the core of their image. These days, the band still channels that spirit, but with the experience of artists who have shaped multiple generations of rock fans.
Green Day’s long run, active since 1987
Green Day’s story began in 1987, when Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt formed a band in the San Francisco Bay Area, initially called Sweet Children. They soon changed their name to Green Day, and over the years the group’s lineup, solidified with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990, went on to define modern punk rock.
That means Green Day has been actively making music for nearly 39 years heading into Super Bowl LX, a remarkable lifespan for any band, let alone one that started in the underground punk scene. Over that time, they’ve released 14 studio albums, from early indie records like 39/Smooth to breakout milestones like Dookie and American Idiot, and most recently, Saviors in 2024.
What began as two teenagers playing shows in small Northern California venues has grown into one of rock’s most influential careers. Green Day helped bring punk out of the underground in the 1990s, influenced a wave of pop-punk and alternative bands in the 2000s, and continues to fill arenas and headline major events alongside today’s biggest stars.
Now, decades after their origins, the band is uniquely positioned to celebrate both their own history and that of the NFL, marking six decades of the Super Bowl at their hometown stage. It’s a rare alignment of sport and music history, and one that demonstrates Green Day’s lasting relevance in global culture.
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