The long-standing legend of Van Halen’s backstage ban on brown M&Ms at its shows in the ’80s has finally been confirmed.
The Smoking Gun, which admits to have been searching for proof of the story for nearly 10 years, has obtained a copy of the rider for the band’s 1982 world tour.
The 53-page, typewritten document was provided to TSG by relatives of the late Jack Belle, who booked shows in upstate New York.
In addition to an embargo on brown M&Ms, the rider lists a few other unique requests including “herring in sour cream,” four cases of “Schlitz Malt Liquor beer (16 ounce cans),” a total of eight bottles of wine and liquor and, perhaps the most curious item, “One (1) large tube of KY Jelly.”
So what will TSG unearth next, Zeppelin’s mud shark?