Wolfgang Van Halen proves why respecting your fans is so important

Wolfgang Van Halen has used his social channels to be less than kind to fans before, but a new Twitter thread seems to have gone too far.

Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert explore the thread and the overall importance of cultivating rather than insulting loyal fans on a new Music Biz Weekly podcast.

Fan Rachel tweeted Van Halen:

“Although I gotta say, if I got a nice comment back from him, personally, that would make my freakin month. I just wish he would comment back to his fans sometimes, instead of only commenting to the haters. They don’t deserve the attention. Ya know? I am actually so disappointed right now I won’t listen to the album (it’s norm on 24/7 on my car.”)

Instead of commistrating with his fan, Van Halen went on the offensive.

“No one deserves attention. For being a fan or otherwise. Just because I’ve never responded to YOU doesn’t mean I don’t respond to fans. Expecting things just because you’re a fan is just dumb. Nothing worse than an entitled fan. Oof.”

Just like that, a supportive fan stopped supporting him. Michael and Jay talk about the ramifications and lessons that can be learned.

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.