John Watkins, a veteran roadie who worked with Van Halen, recently took to Facebook to share his thoughts on Alex Van Halen’s new memoir, Brothers. In a candid post, Watkins criticized the way Alex portrayed his relationship with his former drum tech, Gregg Emerson, claiming that Alex was far more abusive toward Emerson than the book suggests.
“Gregg ‘Big G’ Emerson was Alex Van Halen’s drum tech. They had been friends since their high school days in Pasadena,” Watkins wrote. “Together, they went through the early years, from backyard parties to becoming rock stars during the David Lee Roth era.” Watkins went on to describe his friendship with Gregg, noting that he found him to be “not only a really nice guy but also a consummate professional.”
According to Watkins, Gregg was always professional and reliable, ensuring that Alex’s drum kit was in top shape. However, while the other band members treated their crew with respect, Alex reportedly ridiculed Gregg regularly. Watkins also emphasized that Alex’s behavior worsened when he was drunk, which was often, saying: “Al thought he was funny, but he was just a bully.”
“Al’s behavior was visible to the crew, and they would wonder, ‘These guys used to be friends?’” Watkins continued. “Meanwhile, Gregg was completely devoted to his job, always loyal to the band, and willing to go above and beyond. His duties included having a dozen 24-ounce cans of Schlitz Malt Liquor ready for Alex’s arrival and even taking care of the ‘piss jar’ Alex used during shows so he wouldn’t have to leave the stage.”
As the years passed, Watkins said Alex’s behavior toward Gregg became more abusive. “Gregg became the personal whipping boy for Alex. Despite this, Gregg remained the consummate professional, enduring the mistreatment,” he shared. “Some nights, Gregg would return to the bus looking like a scared puppy who had been kicked and terrorized.”
Watkins also recounted the painful moment he saw Gregg after his firing. “The last time I saw Greg Emerson, he looked like a defeated and broken man,” he wrote.
In his post, Watkins concluded with a sharp condemnation of Alex Van Halen, calling him a “horrible human being” for his treatment of Gregg and accusing him of dishonestly portraying their relationship in the memoir. “He was a horrible human being when I worked for him, and the way he lies about his onetime friend and employee, Gregg Emerson, shows he’s still a horrible human being!” Watkins said.
