Spinal Tap

About

Spinal Tap is a satirical heavy metal band that is best-known for starring in the 1984 rock band mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap. The band first appeared in 1979 on a sketch comedy pilot called The T.V. Show, which featured the group in a mock promotional video for the song "Rock and Roll Nightmare." Though the show was never picked up, the fictional band was a hit with British audiences, inspiring creator Rob Reiner to star in and direct the cult film This Is Spinal Tap. Satirizing the wild and manic personas of rock and metal bands, the movie portrays director Marty Di Bergi, played by Reiner, documenting the antics of Spinal Tap on tour. With much of the dialogue ad libbed and the band, played by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer, sporting over the top costumes and fake British accents, the film quickly rose to cult status.