Van Halen and brown M&M’s will forever be linked in pop culture.
Most people have heard that there’s a connection between the two, without knowing the details.
The story begins with Van Halen adding a clause to their tour contract that required M&M candies backstage with all of the brown ones removed.
“Many years ago it was part of the Van Halen contract as we toured through the arenas in the 80s,” explains Roth, “that there would be no brown m&m’s found in the backstage area or the promoter would forfeit the entire show at full pay. This was touted wildly and widely as simple rock star misdemeanor excess and being abusive of others simply because we could…and who am I to get in the way of a good rumor?”
“In fact, the reality is quite different….”
Check out the video for Dave’s explanation.
Promoters will be on the lookout for brown M&M’s in the backstage area when Van Halen launches their world tour in support of "A Different Kind Of Truth" on February 18 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Van Halen – Unchained
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA – June, 1981
See also:
VIDEO: Van Halen – David Lee Roth explains HoneyBabySweetieDoll
VIDEO: Van Halen - David Lee Roth explains As Is
VIDEO: Van Halen - David Lee Roth explains You And Your Blues