With the type of legacy Green Day has built, it was only a matter of time before the band entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, the moment Green Day was called still took the members by surprise.

Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong spoke with Rolling Stone about first being nominated and now being chosen as one of the new inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The rocker, thinking about the idea of induction night, stated, "Standing there next to each other and taking it all in. We're all in a surreal state right now."

Armstrong recalls going for a walk and then meeting up with his son at a café after letting it sink in that the band was on the ballot earlier this fall. He says, "For me, rock and roll is not an outdated term. To me, it means freedom. It was a way for me to express myself and I'm eternally grateful for the fact that I've been able to do that pretty much my whole life. It's never lost that meaning for me, whether I'm a fan myself or for Green Day fans. It's just the most liberating thing in the world. The fact that we're getting recognized for it in the company we have, it's just an incredible feeling."

And speaking of that company, Armstrong relays his satisfaction at going in alongside such greats as Joan Jett and Stevie Ray Vaughan, who've both been among his favorite musicians. Speaking about Jett, Armstrong states, "The way that she is just this badass woman and probably the s--t she had to deal with in a male-dominated rock scene, it's just an honor to be side-by-side with her." As for Vaughan, Armstrong revealed, "Yeah. I don't know if you're aware, but I have this baby blue guitar that I've had since I was 11-years-old. When I was in high school, I put 'BJ' on it and it's in the 'Basket Case' video. I did it because Stevie Ray Vaughan had a 'SRV' on his pick guard. It's just bizarre the way things worked out and did this full circle."

As for the future, Armstrong says the band is very much in need of family time at the moment, but music is not too far from their minds. "I think of next year as us kind of regrouping and getting together more," says Armstrong. "I want to make sure that everyone's head is in the right place and wants to start doing it again. I think this is a great time for us to reflect. With the Hall of Fame here, we can look back with gratitude and reflect with gratitude without feeling like it's some nostalgic trip."

He adds, "We've always kept moving forward, no matter what. That's exhausting. Also, Mike's wife is just recovering from breast cancer. And [touring guitarist] Jason White is going through the same battle right now [with tonsil cancer]. We need to be there for each other in a different way rather than standing next to each other and playing really loud."

Check out more of Armstrong's in-depth interview about Green Day's Rock Hall selection at Rolling Stone.

You Think You Know Green Day?

More From Rock 108