Green Day rocker Billie Joe Armstrong has paid tribute to his wife Adrienne for sticking by him at the height of his alcohol abuse issues last year (12).

In a candid new Rolling Stone interview, the American Idiot singer opens up about the problems that sent his life spiralling out of control - and led to a lengthy rehab stint following a meltdown onstage at a festival in Las Vegas.

And he makes a point of mentioning his tee-totaller wife, who made his life complete while worrying that her boozy husband could be about to destroy hers.

He explains, "My wife doesn't drink. Never has. She doesn't like the taste or the smell... But Adrienne is a strong woman; she knew the deal. I'm sure it was rough for her to see me going through this.

"At the same time, I think it's safe to say there were some choices she had to make: 'Am I going to get kicked to the curb?' I'm sure the thought crossed her mind that if I didn't get sober I could potentially lose all that stuff. I could have lost the band too.

"I didn't realise how destructive I was. I thought everyone was in on the joke. But I was the joke."