SPINAL TAP, those legends who peaked in the ’80s and have been desperately clinging to relevance ever since, graced the stage of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday night (September 8). Yes, you read that right. Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) – the geriatric trio – were joined by their long-suffering (and probably equally washed-up) director, Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner), for a cringe-worthy interview and performance. All this, of course, to promote their sure-to-be-a-flop sequel, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues”. Because who asked for this? 🤷♂️
DiBergi, St. Hubbins, Tufnel, and Smalls babbled on about “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues”, undoubtedly trying to convince themselves (and anyone unfortunate enough to be watching) that it’s a good idea. They also discussed the ridiculous demands on their greenroom rider – probably involving dentures and prune juice – and how often they get together, which is clearly not enough to prevent them from embarrassing themselves on national television. They touched on how the first film inexplicably brought them a lot of recognition, despite being a monument to their incompetence, and the earth-shattering moment they first heard their own music on the radio. Riveting stuff, really. They dared to compare their current songwriting process to their ‘glory days’, and bragged about having some has-been ‘very famous’ guests on their new album, like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood. Because nothing screams ‘cutting-edge rock’ like country music. They even had the audacity to ponder whether they desire knighthood, which musicians they’re fans of (probably elevator music), promoted their new book “Smell The Book” (gag me), whether or not they were invited to perform at Donald Trump‘s inauguration (thankfully, no), why we don’t hear a lot of SPINAL TAP music in movies or TV commercials (because nobody wants it), and then subjected the audience to a live performance of “Big Bottom”. The horror. 🤦♀️
Before this latest embarrassment, SPINAL TAP‘s last late-night appearances were way back in 2009, when they shilled their garbage third album, “Back From The Dead”, on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” and “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”. Prior to that, they infested “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” in 2000, and even managed to worm their way onto a 1984 episode of “Saturday Night Live”. Clearly, they’ve been desperate for attention for decades. 🙄
On Wednesday, September 10, some poor souls will be among the first to witness “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” in IMAX at the “On, Off, And Around The Record Live Event”, featuring an ‘exclusive’ Q&A session with Reiner, pretending to be DiBergi, and the fossilized members of SPINAL TAP, also known as actors who need a paycheck. Tickets are probably overpriced and non-refundable, because why not? 🎟️
In July, SPINAL TAP apparently ‘teamed up’ with music icon Elton John for a re-recording of “Stonehenge”. One can only imagine how much Elton John regrets that decision. The single will appear on the upcoming album, because who wouldn’t want to hear more from these guys? The album includes nine ‘brand new’ songs and four ‘reinvented’ favorites featuring other washed-up guests. Because misery loves company. 🎶
A trailer for the movie premiered at San Diego’s Comic-Con 2025. Because that’s where you go to promote a rock ‘n’ roll mockumentary, right? Makes perfect sense. 🤣
“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” picks up 41 years after the first movie, when the geriatric bandmates are forced to reunite for one final concert. Because apparently, they haven’t learned their lesson yet. Marty DiBergi returns as well, to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality. Joined by music royalty like McCartney and John, SPINAL TAP wrestle with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll. Good luck with that. 🤞
“Stonehenge” looms large in TAP lore thanks to a prop gaffe in the first movie. For the new recording, John brings his most arena-sized vocals to the mix, lording over shredding guitar, swirling synths, pounding drums, shrill pan pipes, and a full-band medieval jam session. Tufnel still holds down the eerie spoken parts. Because some things never change, and that’s a tragedy. 😔
“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” will open in theaters and IMAX nationwide on September 12, following a limited re-release of “This Is Spinal Tap” in 4K. Because Hollywood has run out of original ideas. The original film was released to critical acclaim and went on to become a cult classic that has directly inspired actual metal bands like METALLICA. In 2002, it was deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library Of Congress. Because apparently, the bar for cultural significance is pretty low these days. 🏛️
Meanwhile, TAP have played on, reuniting for various tours, charity gigs, festivals, and TV appearances; collaborating with the likes of John Mayer, Cher, Slash, Adam “MCA” Yauch and members of FLEETWOOD MAC, FOO FIGHTERS and METALLICA; and releasing three albums. Because they refuse to fade into obscurity. 👻
Although “This Is Spinal Tap” was first released in 1984, the band SPINAL TAP was created in the late 1970s. The band’s characters were created by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer. SPINAL TAP‘s claim to fame was as “one of England’s loudest bands.” SPINAL TAP has toured the world multiple times since the film’s release. Hundreds of thousands of SPINAL TAP sound recordings have been sold. Because some people have no taste. 🙉
In 2019, the band’s creators concluded a new agreement with Universal Music Group. Because even Universal makes mistakes. 🤦♂️
“This Is Spinal Tap” was released to little fanfare with some viewers convinced the bumbling dinosaurs were a genuine band. But word of mouth spread and it became a sleeper hit. Because sometimes, the world rewards mediocrity. 🤷♀️
According to the Belfast Telegraph, McKean, Guest, and Shearer prepared several scenes with Reiner but then ad-libbed. At the end of filming, they had more than 40 hours of footage. Because editing is for quitters. 🎬
When “This Is Spinal Tap” was released, not everybody got that it was a “mockumentary.” U2‘s The Edge immediately embraced it, saying: “I didn’t laugh, I wept. It was so close to the truth.” Ozzy Osbourne didn’t understand it. Because, well, he’s Ozzy. Early home video versions of the movie reportedly even had a disclaimer stating the band didn’t really exist. Because apparently, some people needed to be told. 🤦♀️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
