In the music world, there are a lot of talented and successful ‘Billies’ out there. Billie Eilish, Billy Corgan, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Billy Joel are just a few names on that list.
However, given how similar the names of the Greenday front man and the Piano Man are, many can’t help but wonder if they’re actually related.
In fact, some eagle-eyed fans claim that Billie Joe looks almost exactly like a younger version of Billy Joel – except, instead of a piano, he’s rocking a guitar.
So, is Billie Joe Armstrong secretly Billy Joel’s younger brother, or is everything just a coincidence? Let’s find out.
Who is Billie Joe Armstrong?
Billie Joe Armstrong is known as the lead singer of the very popular rock band Green Day. He, along with his band mates, dominated the early 2000s music with their iconic hits such as Wake Me Up When September Ends, 21 Guns, and Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Born on February 17, 1972, Billie Joe is the son of Ollie Jackson and Andrew Armstrong. He grew up in the U.S. after his ancestors emigrated to the country.
His ethnic background is quite extensive, thanks to the diversity of his ancestors. According to reports, Billie Joe has the following ethnic ancestry includes:
- English
- Scottish
- Irish
- Welsh
- Italian
- German
- Spanish-Mexican
- Cherokee
Who is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel needs no introduction – well, at least for those who witnessed his prime. Given that he has not released an album since the late 1990s, it’s no surprise that his name is no longer being mentioned by the tabloids.
So, if you’re one of the young ones who do not know who this man is, we’ve made a list of his most iconic songs that we think you may have heard of before:
- We Didn’t Start The Fire
- She’s Always A Woman
- New York State of Mind
- Honesty
- Only The Good Die Young
- Uptown Girl
If any of these tracks sound familiar, now you know who Billy Joel is as an artist.
As an ordinary person, meanwhile, he is known as William Martin Joel. He was born on May 9, 1949, to Jewish parents Rosalind and Helmuth Julius Joel.
His father moved from Germany to the United States while his mother was a New York native whose parents were also immigrants. In other words, Billy Joel is of German, Ukrainian, and Polish descent. His ancestors were victims of the Holocaust.
Are Billie Joe and Billy Joel Related?
While they appear to both have German roots, available genealogy data shows that Billie Joe Armstrong and Billy Joel do not have any common ancestors. In other words, they are not relatives.
However, the two remain brothers in music. Who knows? Maybe they’ll both come out of their retirement and collaborate on a song together. We’d love to see ol’ Billy donning an eyeliner for once and Billie Joe singing the blues!
