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Good Charlotte Biography

Punk-rock band Good Charlotte consists of Joel, Benji, Billy and Paul.

Courtesy of Epic Records

Benji and Joel Madden are no longer the punky kids they were when Good Charlotte was formed in 1996, but they can still rock as hard as they did back then. Learn more about your fave musical twins!

Good Charlotte - Band Members

Joel Madden - Lead vocals and rhythm guitar

Benji Madden - Lead guitar and backing vocals

Billy Martin - Rhythym guitar, keyboard, backing vocals

Paul Thomas - Bass guitar

Dean Butterworth - Drums

Good Charlotte - Their Start

In 1995, brothers Joel and Benji Madden went to their first concert - the Beastie Boys' Ill Communication Tour. They were so psyched by the show, they formed Good Charlotte two weeks later with their high school buddy Paul Thomas . In 1998, Good Charlotte moved to Annapolis, Maryland to get in on the booming music scene. The band worked low paying jobs to make rent while they played bars, clubs and parties. Guitarist Billy Martin joined the Good Charlotte line-up and record labels started to take notice. Good Charlotte went on to sign with Epic Records and released their first full-length album in 2000.

Good Charlotte - Big Break

MTV recruited Joel and Benji Madden to host the show All Things Rock as VJs, giving the band a lot of exposure before their second CD, Young and the Hopeless was released. Good Charlotte shot to stardom with hits off that disc like The Little Things and Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. Following the massive success of Young and the Hopeless, Good Charlotte released The Chronicles of Life and Death in 2004 and Good Morning Revival in 2007.

Good Charlotte - Did U Know?

Joel Madden and his brother Benji Madden are identical twins.

Joel Madden and Benji Madden never played an instrument or sang before forming Good Charlotte.

Joel Madden is currently dating socialite Nicole Richie and the couple is expecting their first child together in January 2008.

Joel Madden previously dated pop songstress Hilary Duff for almost three years.

Benji Madden is engaged to Australian actress Sophie Monk.

Billy Martin owns his own clothing line called Level 27 Clothing.

Good Charlotte toured with Blink-182, Bad Religion and Lit before being signed to a record label.

Before becoming obsessed with music, Benji Madden and Joel Madden were really into baseball.

Good Charlotte Says...

"We want kids to come to our shows and forget about everything. Whatever their problems are, we want them to be focused on the energy, have a good time, and then go back to their normal life tomorrow."

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