Joel was born in March of 1979 in Maryland. His father left the family when he was 16 and never saw his father after that, so he changed his last name from "Combs" to their mother's maiden name, "Madden". This left only Joel's mother to care for the four children. Obviously that caused a lot of financial problems leading to the eviction from their home. He and his older twin brother went to a Beastie Boys concert and decided that they wanted to start a band. When they graduated in 1997, his mother gave him and Benji a pair of airline tickets to California to go to a club where all the good punk rock bands actually started. When they got back, they were more determined than ever. They teamed up with two school friends and Billy - and Good Charlotte was born.


Is the lead singer for the band Good Charlotte. Has a dog (a boxer) named Cashdogg (aka Cash). Shares the clothing line MADE with his brother, Benji. Was formerly a shampoo technician. Older brother is Joshua, younger sister, Sarah and twin brother, Benji Got his first gig with the band Good Charlotte by playing in a crowd of twenty people in a basement. Engaged to Nicole Richie. [February 2010] Welcomed daughter, with Nicole Richie, Harlow Winter Kate on January 11, 2008. Harlow weighted 6 lbs. 7 oz. Announced that he is expecting his second child, with Nicole Richie [February 21, 2009].