That Time Eddie Van Halen Assaulted Sammy Hagar

Shinedown drummer Barry Kerch recently shared insights from his band’s experience opening for Van Halen during their tumultuous 2004 reunion tour with Sammy Hagar. Despite the dream-come-true opportunity, the tour was marred by significant tension within Van Halen.

Kerch fondly remembered the camaraderie with Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and even Wolfgang Van Halen and his mother, Valerie Bertinelli. However, he couldn’t ignore the palpable negative energy between the two factions of Van Halen. One particularly shocking incident saw Eddie Van Halen assault Hagar onstage, interrupting him mid-song.

“It was one of the most amazing times of my life – it was unbelievable,” Kerch shared in a recent episode of Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz. “As much as those guys hated each other at that moment in time, they were so sweet to all of us.”

Eddie Van Halen took a particular liking to Shinedown’s lead singer Brent Smith. Kerch recalled Eddie’s unique lifestyle:

“Eddie was cigarette in his mouth, bottle of wine in one hand, guitar on, 24-7 – that’s how he lived. He’d kick open our dressing room door, [start talking], teach how [he did something] on guitar. Wolfie was still riding a scooter up and down the hallways – he was like 10 – and Valerie was there, taking care and everything. So I got to meet all that. She’s the sweetest, Wolfie was a good kid.”

Kerch noted that Alex Van Halen was rarely seen offstage, saying:

“You never saw Alex; Alex would just show up, do the gig, get out – he didn’t want part of the drama, I’m sure. But I did get to sit behind his drum set, which was awesome!”

The backstage atmosphere was divided. Kerch explained:

“Sammy and Michael were their own dudes; they had their own world – they had their own side, their own dressing rooms. Those two camps never got together until they were onstage.”

Despite the tension, there were lighter moments. “Sammy and Michael had their little bar side-stage … they’re like, ‘Hey, man, any time during the show, come on over and have a few drinks with us!’ So we go into their little bar, watching Van Halen play.” Kerch felt like a kid in awe, thinking, “Oh, my God, I’m on tour with Van Halen, having a drink with Sammy and Michael while they’re playing!”

Shinedown’s Perspective into Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar’s Tensions

Hagar even rated Shinedown’s performances by leaving bottles of tequila in their dressing room.

“If it was a shitty show that we did, he gave us the basic model. If it was a good show, he’d give us the good stuff!”

However, the underlying animosity occasionally surfaced onstage. Kerch recounted:

“There was one night Sammy was singing, and I don’t know why Eddie was pissed at him, but he was. Eddie comes over and just kicks him as hard as he can, square in the nuts, while he’s singing.”

Reflecting on the experience, Kerch concluded:

“Yeah, they really don’t like each other! But I had a dream come true, and they sounded great every night.”