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Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ Turns 15

September 20, 2004. What did Green Day do after taking almost a half-decade off? Release a punk-rock opera, of course. It can’t be understated what a risk it was for…

Green Day 'American Idiot'

Released September 21, 2004.

September 20, 2004. What did Green Day do after taking almost a half-decade off? Release a punk-rock opera, of course.

It can't be understated what a risk it was for Green Day to make American Idiot. When the band released Warning in 2000 during the height of the nü-metal/rap-rock trend, critics were underwhelmed and the general consensus outside of their immediate fan base was that Green Day had lost some of their 90s luster.

Taking a break to regroup was certainly no surprise. But coming back from the break with a concept album? That was a bold, all-or-nothing type of move. Now, the band certainly had plenty of material to draw on: the first Bush administration, the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq War. But it was still a risk.

The risk payed off. American Idiot marked a second act for the band, reigniting interest in their music, inspiring a new generation of fans, and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. I revisited the album over the summer in my Summertime ROCK series, so click here for that, then click below for footage from the American Idiot-era recorded live in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium.

adam12Writer
Adam 12 is the Program Director of Boston's ROCK 92.9, heard weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. He's been flexing his encyclopedic rock knowledge in New England for over 2 decades, both on-air and online, at WBCN, WFNX, Boston.com, and indie617. At ROCK 92.9, he keeps you in the know on the big stories from the Boston music scene and writes about great places to eat, drink (beer), and to spend time outdoors in and around Boston.