Spinal Tap (band)

Spinal Tap
Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean)
Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean)
Background information
Also known asThe Originals, the New Originals, the Thamesmen
OriginFictional: England
Actual: United States
Genres
Years activeFictional: 1964–1984, 1992, 2001, 2007, 2009
Actual: 1979–1984, 1992, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2019
LabelsFictional: Polymer, Megaphone
Actual: Polydor, MCA
MembersDavid St. Hubbins (Michael McKean)
Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest)
Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)

Spinal Tap (stylized as Spın̈al Tap, with a dotless letter i and a metal umlaut over the n) are a fictional English heavy metal band created by the American comedians and musicians of The T.V. Show, who wrote and performed original songs as the band: Michael McKean, as the lead singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins; Christopher Guest, as the guitarist Nigel Tufnel; and Harry Shearer, as the bassist Derek Smalls. They are characterized as "one of England's loudest bands".[1]

Spinal Tap first appeared on the 1979 ABC television sketch comedy pilot The T.V. Show, starring Rob Reiner.[2] The sketch, actually a mock promotional video for the song "Rock and Roll Nightmare", was written by Reiner and the band, and included the songwriter-performer Loudon Wainwright III on keyboards. The band starred in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap, which was accompanied by a soundtrack album.

In the years following the film's release, the actors have portrayed the band members at concerts and released music under the Spinal Tap name. Guest, McKean and Shearer toured in the United States in April and May 2009[3] and performed as Spinal Tap in a "One Night Only World Tour" on June 30, 2009, at Wembley Arena in London, three days after playing the Glastonbury Festival.[4][5]

The trio also portray the fictional American folk music revival band the Folksmen; some Spinal Tap concert appearances have featured Guest, McKean and Shearer opening for Spinal Tap as the Folksmen.[6]

  1. ^ Hill, Stephen (April 29, 2014). "11 Reasons We Love Spın̈al Tap". Louder. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  2. ^ "'Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare': The origin of Spinal Tap". DangerousMinds. November 7, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Spinal Tap Alums Plot Comedy Tour". LiveDaily. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  4. ^ "Spinal Tap announce 'world tour'". BBC. April 6, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
  5. ^ Gundersen, Edna (April 14, 2009). "THIS is Spinal Tap? Don't wig out, dudes; they're still funny". USA Today. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
  6. ^ "'Spinal Tap' Stars Exhale 'A Mighty Wind'". Billboard. March 20, 2003.