David Lee Roth wrote in his autobiography that the reason was to test if venues were reading the contracts, and I frankly don’t believe him.
This article lists several reasons why that doesn’t make sense. I.e. the rule being widely reported in the media at the time makes it a bad choice for a hidden test. And the people who handle catering at a venue are not the same people who handle electrical work - so a problem with one does not necessarily indicate a problem with the other.
I think the simpler explanation is that it was just a way for Van Halen to drum up publicity and assert their privilege as one of the premier rock acts of the day.
This article lists several reasons why that doesn’t make sense. I.e. the rule being widely reported in the media at the time makes it a bad choice for a hidden test. And the people who handle catering at a venue are not the same people who handle electrical work - so a problem with one does not necessarily indicate a problem with the other.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-did-van-hale...
I think the simpler explanation is that it was just a way for Van Halen to drum up publicity and assert their privilege as one of the premier rock acts of the day.