ok this is like months later BUT
yes, it is true. I heard he tried to attempt it when people requested it, but he didn't know the words, so I printed out the lyrics for him so he wouldn't have any excuses.
at the sound check in las vegas on august 21, 2009, i held up the lyrics and he said "what's that?" and I said "it's the lyrics to misery, since you seem to always forget them" and he laughed but continued on with the sound check.
at the end of the sound check, he comes over to me and says "let me see those lyrics", takes them back to his spot and has the whole band playing it. it was amazing.
he totally messed everything up when he got to the bridge, though, so he stopped the band and gave me the lyrics back.
a year later, I brought the lyrics to one of the "american idiot talkbacks" that Billie did after a few of the american idiot on broadway shows. after completely making fun of me and my tie dyed shirt in front of everyone, he later apologized to me and I gave him the misery lyrics to sign and he was like "oh, I remember this! you're the girl that made us play this!" and he autographed them for me. one of these days i'll get it framed, but I still haven't gotten around to it.
the end.