arpadveress 
There is a long tradition of musicians and other performers making absurd demands in performance contracts. Just because they can. Especially during the cucumber seasons, this always gave the tabloids something to munch on.
Perhaps the most infamous and egregious example is Van Halen. The American “hair rock” band of the 80s was infamous for having clause 126 in their contract: “There should be M&M’s candy behind the scenes, but it can’t be brown, otherwise the concert will be canceled with full compensation.”
For years, this clause was seen as a frivolous and egomaniacal expression of the rock and roll lifestyle.
The band’s frontman, David Lee Roth, wrote a book called “A Crazy From the Heat”. In it, the singer explained why this item was actually included in the contract.
This was actually a quick security check on the partner. The band traveled the world with a lot of stage equipment, powerful electronics, and pyrotechnic equipment. The unassuming brown M&M’s were a check that the concert staff had followed every detail of the written contract to ensure the safety of the band, crew and audience.
Van Halen was one of the first bands to take gig productions to places that weren’t a primary concert destination before. They loaded the equipment onto nine, eighteen-wheel trucks, when other bands used a maximum of three.
This also had to be learned, many technical errors caused interruptions. Sometimes the brackets couldn’t support the weight, sometimes the floor sagged, or the doors weren’t big enough to get the equipment inside. The contracting parties often read the contracts superficially, even though these important parameters were discussed in them. Production and the fate of many people depended on these rules.
Just an example. For example, among the technical questions, one point is: “fifteen outlets twenty feet apart, evenly supplied, nineteen amps”. besides, the concert will be cancelled.” .
David walked backstage and if he saw brown M&M’s in that bowl…he knew he needed to check everything because they didn’t read the contract properly.
He knew he was bound to find technical errors. And this time he found it. Sometimes even one that endangered the entire concert. Even the lives of the crew members.
Dan and Chip Heath’s book “Determination: How to Make Better Decisions in Life and Work” highlights this case. As a positive example of problem management. David Lee Roth wasn’t a diva, he was a top operations boss. And in Van Halen’s world, a brown M&M’s was the alarm button.
Source: internet
Where is your brown M&M in relation to compliance of hazardous area industries?
The Van Halen brown M&M’s story is a clever analogy for Ex compliance engineering and explosion protection because it highlights the importance of precise attention to detail and strict adherence to standards—both to prevent incidents and ensure safe, effective operations.
In Van Halen’s case, their complex and risky concert setup depended on partners reading and following detailed instructions to avoid dangerous mishaps. The brown M&M’s clause was an early “alarm” that revealed whether a venue had taken their requirements seriously. Similarly, in Ex compliance engineering, every detail in the safety protocols and equipment requirements must be followed precisely to prevent potentially catastrophic explosions in hazardous environments.
Just as Van Halen’s equipment load and pyrotechnics required rigorous checks, explosion-prone areas demand strict adherence to design, installation, and maintenance standards. Compliance protocols in Ex engineering ensure that electrical equipment, safety barriers, and other infrastructure meet required specifications and function reliably, much like Van Halen’s exact technical needs. If these protocols are missed or dismissed as minor, the consequences can jeopardize lives and assets. Here, an overlooked item—like a brown M&M in Roth’s world—is a warning that every detail must be rechecked.
Keep up the good work!
