Sammy Hagar Talks About Billie Eilish Not Knowing Van Halen
Sammy Hagar recently shared his thoughts on the moment Billie Eilish admitted she didn’t know who Van Halen was, in an interview with NME. This happened back in 2019 when she was 17 and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The clip went viral and created a lot of online debate. Many saw it as a clear example of the generational gap in music knowledge.
Hagar Praises Her Honesty
Hagar said he actually respected Billie Eilish for being honest. He liked that she didn’t pretend to know something she didn’t. To him, it showed she was being real, and he appreciated that.
“Whatsherface… Billie Eilish? That was very cool and honest of her,” Hagar said. “I thought it was funny, but I respected her because she’s not a bullshit artist.”
The Viral Moment and Reactions
Many people reacted strongly when the clip first came out. Some fans teased her, while others understood that it made sense; a teenager might not know a rock band from the ’70s and ’80s. Even Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen’s son, defended her, saying it was totally normal.
“If you haven’t heard of Billie Eilish, go check her out. She’s cool. If you haven’t heard of Van Halen, go check them out. They’re cool too,” Van Halen wrote. “Music is supposed to bring us together, not divide us. Listen to what you want and don’t shame others for not knowing what you like.”
A Bigger Conversation About Generations
Music outlets pointed out that this moment showed a larger generational gap. Younger artists don’t always know older bands, and older fans might not know today’s stars. It’s normal and nothing to be upset about. Hagar’s reaction helped show that it’s okay, and that music continues to evolve for new audiences.
