21 Years ago, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong was cited for indecent exposure and was fined $141, which is roughly Php6,000!
The Basket Case rocker exposed himself to 6,000 or so fans at the Mecca Auditorium, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1995. Mooning, of course, is an act of bearing one’s ass to a party as a sign of defiance. Billie Joe’s incident was his clever way of letting Green Day fans who understand Green Day-ese know that the Mecca was a mediocre show.
Billie Joe told ATN during an interview on Halloween that he only drops at so-so shows. Unfortunately, this time mooning the crowd, if you'll excuse the expression, backfired.
After Green Day finished their hour long set, police officers took Billie Joe to the Milwaukee police station, where he was cited for indecent exposure. After he paid the bail of $141.85, he was released.
Lt. Thomas Christopher of the Milwaukee PD explained what happened, as only law enforcement can: "Mr. Armstrong dropped his pants to his knees and exposed his buttocks to the crowd. After the concert, Mr. Armstrong was taken into custody, given a city citation for indecent exposure. He posted a bail and was released." Thomas said this was not an actual arrest, and Armstrong is only required to go to court if he intends to contest the charge. Otherwise, he'll commit a "civil forfeiture" and the city will take a "default judgment.”
Officers went out of their way not to disrupt the concert, in order to avoid a potential riot. Instead they waited until the last notes were played and apprehended Billie Joe on the way to his limo.
"The problem was he exposed himself to a crowd of about 6,000 people," said Lt. Christopher. "Including people as young as ten. That was our main reason for taking the action."
Keep your radio dial locked onto the 101.1 frequency every day but most especially on Friday! Y101’s whole rhythm crew will be playing classic pop and rock hits during the Friday Gold Rush. So don’t miss it out. Only here on the rhythm of the city, Y101, Always First.
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