Green Day Singer: Rehab Was Manager-Ordered

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong sat down for a Rolling Stone interview recently in which he spoke openly about his drug use and what finally made him seek treatment in rehab. 41-year old Armstro...
Green Day Singer: Rehab Was Manager-Ordered
Written by Amanda Crum
  • Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong sat down for a Rolling Stone interview recently in which he spoke openly about his drug use and what finally made him seek treatment in rehab.

    41-year old Armstrong says he was in one of the darkest places he’d ever been in when he went on a drug-fueled rant onstage at the iHeartRadio Festival in September, screaming at the people in charge after being told the band only had about a minute left of playing time.

    “I’ve been around since 19-f—ing-88! I’m not f—ing Justin Bieber, you motherf—ers. This is a f—ing joke! And now you’re gonna give me one minute? Now I got nothing left. I got nothing left. I’m gonna show you what one f—ing minute looks like,” he yelled.

    The band later apologized in a statement to their fans, and Armstrong says he only remembers bits and pieces of the entire thing. When he asked his wife the next day how bad it was, she confirmed his fears that he’d made a huge mistake.

    “I called my manager. He said, “You’re getting on a plane, going back to Oakland and going into rehab immediately,” Armstrong said.

    He went, realizing the problem was worse than even he’d imagined; he did know it was bad, though, and part of his recovery was taking responsibility for his own actions.

    “I couldn’t predict where I was going to end up at the end of the night,” he said. “I’d wake up in a strange house on a couch. I wouldn’t remember how. It was a complete blackout.”

    In the interview, Armstrong also talks about how the band’s entire schedule was sidetracked while he spent time in recovery and even had to cancel or postpone tour dates. There have been new dates added, however, and Armstrong recently released a statement for the band’s fans to thank them for their continued support.

    “I just wanted to thank you all for all the love support you’ve showed for the past few months,” he wrote. “Believe me, it hasn’t gone unnoticed and I’m eternally grateful to have such an amazing set of friends and family. I’m getting better everyday. So now, without further ado, the show must go on..We can’t wait to get on the road and live out loud! Our passion has only grown stronger. Happy new year. We love you all. Rage and love.”

    The new tour dates released are:

    • March 28 — Chicago, Allstate Arena
    • March 29 — Muline, Ill., Wireless Center
    • March 31 — Pittsburgh, Consol Energy Center
    • April 1 — Rochester, N.Y., Blue Cross Arena
    • April 3 — Philadelphia, Liacourias Center
    • April 4 — Fairfax, Va., Patriot Center
    • April 6 — Uncasville, Conn., Mohegan Sun Arena
    • April 7— Brooklyn, N.Y., Barclays Arena
    • April 9 — Providence, R.I., Dunkin Donuts Center
    • April 11 —Toronto, Air Canada Centre
    • April 12 — Quebec City, Quebec Colisee

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