Back when Sammy was a new member of Van Halen, the VH boys would get good and crazy pretty often. They called their good-old boy humor together “Bocephus mode,” in honor of country star Hank “Bocephus” Williams, Jr, who they considered the craziest mofo on the planet.
When Hank got wind that they were using his nickname as a call to party, he invited Van Halen across the country line. Just as Van Halen was getting out from under the shadow of Roth, Hank Jr. was finally growing beyond comparisons to his father. Van Halen came to party in costume, appearing as Hank Jr.’s backup band in his video for “My Name Is Bocephus.”
The video was filmed in late 1986, shortly after the 5150 tour ended. Check out Eddie’s short hair and Alex’s newly shaved head!
[Video is no longer online]