Do you have the time / to listen to me whine / about the music taste of an acting icon? Sopranos star Michael Imperioli revealed on Instagram that the late James Gandolfini, who starred as Tony Soprano on the definitive TV drama, was a yuuuge Green Day fan. A fan asked Imperioli what Gandolfini liked to listen to, and when Imperioli replied Green Day, the fan didn’t believe him. “He would play the vinyl of dookie in his trailer at work. Totally serious,†Imperioli wrote. He added in another comment, “no joke. He loved Green Day.†And don’t forget, Dookie had hits on hits, from “Longview†to “Basket Case†to “Welcome to Paradise.†If you think it seems more up Anthony Jr.’s alley than Tony’s, just remember those lines in “Basket Caseâ€: “I went to a shrink / to analyze my dreams / she says it’s lack of sex that’s bringing me down.†That’s Tony all the way.
Update: On August 10, Imperioli further detailed Gandolfini’s love for Green Day in an interview with Stereogum. “Gandolfini would also sing basket case and make up his own lyrics about HBO and the writers and producers of the sopranos,†he wrote. “Usually when he was feeling overworked and overexposed, and his lyrics would reflect that. Some of the more musical crew members would add a verse or two. Great fun.†What we would give to hear that. Imperioli added, “He also named his dog dookie and used it in his email address.â€