The Rock Bands Behind the Parody of 'This Is Spinal Tap'

The mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap has become a legendary satire of everything rock culture and music from the 1970s and 80s. While the film doesn't specifically parody one band, it gathers elements from multiple British rock bands of the era to create the hilariously exaggerated and flawed character, Spinal Tap. In this article, we dive into the real-life inspirations and influences behind the iconic parody band.

British Heavy Metal Influences

The creators of This Is Spinal Tap drew heavily from the British heavy metal scene of the 1970s. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and other notable British rock bands of that era serve as the primary inspirations for the character. The film humorously exaggerates the excesses, egos, and absurdities often associated with rock music and its culture.

The parody wasn't just a one-time inspiration either. The filmmakers took the time to research and understand the antics of several bands, creating a composite character from various aspects. For example, the director, Rob Reiner, was inspired by live shows by Judas Priest, where the lead singer, Rob Halford, famously ran around the stage with a machine gun during performances.

Spinal Tap's British Colleagues

One of the bands heavily featured in the film's visual gags is the British heavy metal band Saxon. Their popularity in America began to wane in the latter half of the 1980s, mirroring the decline of the parodied band. Additionally, the relationship between the band members, Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins, has been likened to the dynamic between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the legendary Rolling Stones duo.

Another guest appearance in the film that adds a touch of historical accuracy is the Stonehenge set, which was a reaction to Black Sabbath. When Black Sabbath built a massive Stonehenge set that was too large for many venues, Spinal Tap's version was an exaggerated and absurd opposite.

Real-Life Incidents

Some of the humorous bits in the film were based on real-life incidents. For instance, comedian Steve Mckean and actor Christopher Guest, who played the band members, discovered that many famous rock bands have had similar experiences. Some of these moments were so common that they happened to dozens of bands.

One such incident is when bands have gotten lost at arenas while trying to find the stage on time. Another humorous detail is that Spinal Tap's drummer, Mike Speed, was inspired by the real-life incident where Yes drummer Allan White got stuck in a huge plastic bubble during a performance.

Conclusion

While This Is Spinal Tap is a parody of many aspects of the rock culture, it is especially a reflection of the British heavy metal bands of the 1970s and 1980s. The film's creators didn't focus on one specific band but rather a composite of multiple bands to create the exaggerated and flawed character of Spinal Tap. This process involved extensive research to ensure the parody was as accurate and humorous as possible.

Key Takeaways: The film was inspired by a blend of British heavy metal bands such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Specific bands like Saxon and Yes were featured in the visual and audio elements of the film. Real-life incidents and anecdotes were used to enhance the parody, making it more relatable and humorous.