Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Criticizes Perry Farrell in New Lollapalooza Book

Image credits: ABC/Paula Lobo

The upcoming book Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival has sparked controversy with its release of an excerpt featuring Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong criticizing Perry Farrell, the co-founder of the influential music festival. According to the excerpt, Armstrong had a difficult time with Farrell ahead of Green Day's performance at Lollapalooza 1994. Armstrong expressed his disappointment and frustration with Farrell, stating that he was not a part of the conversation regarding Green Day's performance at the festival.

John Rubeli, Lollapalooza's second-stage manager between 1993 and 1995, revealed that Farrell thought Green Day was a "boy band" and did not want to book them for the festival. However, after Rubeli presented the band's history and indie record releases, Farrell eventually relented and allowed Green Day to perform. The tension between Armstrong and Farrell is just one example of the raw emotions and conflicts that marked the festival's early years, as detailed in the book.

In other news, Green Day has been making headlines with their recent tour, celebrating 30 years of their iconic album Dookie and 20 years of American Idiot. The band's high-energy performances have been well-received by fans and critics alike, with their ability to blend punk rock with catchy melodies and thought-provoking lyrics continuing to inspire new generations of music lovers.

Meanwhile, the book Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival is set to release on March 25, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and conflicts that helped shape the alternative music scene. The book features stories from various musicians, including Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, who shares his unflattering opinion of Smashing Pumpkins' frontman Billy Corgan.

The release of the book has sparked interest in the history of Lollapalooza and the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. With its release, fans can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the festival's impact on the music industry and the stories behind some of the most iconic performances in rock history. The book is a must-read for music enthusiasts and fans of Green Day, Lollapalooza, and alternative rock.