10 Greatest Rhythm Guitarists In Rock History

As the years have gone on, Billie Joe Armstrong has seemed to have leaned into the role of frontman more than a guitar player. Though the crux of Green Day remains a power trio most of the time, Armstrong has gotten a lot of flak in recent years for using his guitar more as a prop onstage than anything else. In the days of Gilman Street though, Billie was one of the most solid rhythm players in the business.

Along with the catchy bass lines from Mike Dirnt, Armstrong's steady rhythm playing made for some of the most immediate hooks of the time, whether it be the dead chugs of Brain Stew or the swing style riff during the choruses of Longview. Since most of his playing is just chords, everything is set so the vocal melody can fit right in, usually sticking in your head long after you've heard it.

That's not to say that Billie can only serve the song either, especially on the instrumentals like Last Ride In where he shows some surf rock influences or when he's practically using his guitar to keep time, whether that be a steady pulse on Warning or the absolutely nutty endurance that he needs for a song like Platypus (I Hate You). There still may be some hate coming from the more authentic players in the guitar community, but if it's not broke, why the hell would Billie try and fix it now?