1994- Three young men from the Bay Area of California are now known worldwide as the band that incited the ever-memorable riot of mudslinging at Woodstock '94 (causing 800 injuries and counting). Where did it all begin? Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong was a mere eleven years old when his mom gave him "Old Blue"- his cherished, baby blue Fender Stratocaster. Through school and friends, he met [bassist] Mike Dirnt, who shared the same compassion for music as Billie Joe. Early jam sessions between the two were common (and frequent), as the two were now known on the street as, Sweet Children. Taking on John Kiftmeyer- aka Al Sobrante' - they changed their name to Green Day, signed to Lookout! Records, and recorded the 39 Smooth LP in 1989 (I was a mere three years old). The boys were about eighteen when drummer John decided to take a more promising route and left Green Day to go to college. A hopeful Billie and Mike then took on longtime friend (as well as John's drum teacher) eighteen-year-old Tre' Cool, who had formerly played for the Lookouts since he was twelve. With Tre on board, they released their second album, Kerplunk, in 1992. With the Lookout label falling apart, as well as the bands yearning for a more major record company, Green Day signed an eight record deal with Reprise/Roadrunner Records. Giving fame another shot, they released 1994's Dookie, which circa 1995, sold over 10 million copies. [Note: in one Seventeen magazine reader's poll, Green Day was voted both Best New Band and Worst New Band.] Suddenly, the media's eye was on them, and they were thereon asked to play huge events like the Warped Tour, Lollapalooza, Woodstock '94, and even the 1994 AND 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. [The boys had been nominated several times since 1994, and finally won their first VMA award in 1999 as best alternative video. Billie quotes, "Susan Lucci, eat your heart out."] In later 1995, a more high-volume record, Insomniac, was released. The fans were pleased, however the media was a little less enthused. After taking a quiet, four-year breather to retaliate (and care for their newborns), Green Day was ready to once again blow the minds of Americans everywhere. 1999's Nimrod became a nearly instant hit with critics, calling in an improvement and maturity from previous releases. Acoustic song "Time of Your Life" landed spots on a variety of radio stations, as well as being played during the credits of the final Seinfeld episode. Nimrod's tame, yet still punk, record kept radio stations amused for awhile while Green Day was about to release it's next biggest success. In October of 2000, Warning, produced by the band themselves, was put onto store shelves. Some fans were lost. Some were gained. Some former anti-Green Day fans suddenly became fans. The true fans, however (like me), stuck to their love for the three once-boys, now men. Suddenly, a once rejected band is becoming a household and radio-friendly name. The boys, now twenty-eight, have been in a tough eleven-year trip together. Who knows what they'll conjur up next...I guess we'll have to just wait and see.