by Rick Difonzo, Belmar,NJ

While on tour with Patty Smythe in the late 80’s, we played a series of dates in LA. I was shocked to see Eddie Van Halen show up one night — his then-wife Valerie Bertenelli was a big Patty fan. Well every night during the encore (”Goodbye to You”) I would do a guitar solo and Patty would kick up her heels and dance like crazy.

This night, Eddie Van sat in with us for most of the set, but I got to do my BIG SOLO in the encore while Patty danced with Ed. This night however, she decided to kick off her shoes and throw them across the stage. They hit several large cups of water, and made a puddle on stage, right where I was going to end up.

I was running full speed across the stage, playing my heart out, and in front of 10,000 people and EDDIE VAN HALEN, hit the puddle, skidded, and ended up flat on my back. I didn’t drop a note, but suddenly Ed was looming over me asking if I was ok….. I said yeah, and went to get up when I slipped in the puddle AGAIN, and went down for the 2nd time.

I finished the solo on my back, but did NOT get to the mic in time to sing the next chorus…… Eddie and the Mrs. travelled with us for a week or so, and he never let me forget taking the dive.