DAVE IN KNOXVILLE, WHOSE LAST NAME I PROMISE I DON'T KNOW:
I teach a class on rock and roll music at a community college--a humanities class, history of rock and roll.
I have had, on two occasions, students who HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE BEATLES.
The first time it happened I was so shocked I literally didn't know how to respond. The second time I asked if the kid was home-schooled (MISTAKE MISTAKE MISTAKE), and it ended in tears.
The level of ignorance is astounding. U2 is, no lie, old-timey music for them. Guns and Roses is exactly the same as Led Zeppelin. This semester a student said, verbatim, "I hate the Beatles. My roommate won't stop playing that video game."
Video game. Jesus.