‘Spinal Tap’ actor David Kaff dies at 79, just before sequel release
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It’s a sad day for music and movie lovers alike, as we say goodbye to David Kaff, the man who brought the ever-cool keyboardist Viv Savage to life in the cult classic This Is Spinal Tap.
Kaff, whose real name was David Kaffinetti, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 11 at the age of 79, just months before the much-anticipated sequel to the legendary film is set to hit cinemas.
For those who remember the original 1984 film, Kaff’s portrayal of Viv Savage was unforgettable.
With his laid-back motto—‘Have a good time…all the time’—and his wide-eyed wonder at ‘this computer magic’, Kaff’s character embodied the quirky, offbeat humour that made This Is Spinal Tap a touchstone for generations of fans.
The film, directed by Rob Reiner, followed the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap on a hilariously disastrous American tour, and quickly became a cult favourite, pioneering the mockumentary genre and influencing countless comedies that followed.
Kaff’s passing was announced by his band, Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom, who shared: ‘David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it! RIP dear brother.’
Before he was Viv Savage, Kaffinetti was already a respected musician. He was a founding member of the British progressive rock band Rare Bird, best known for their 1969 hit Sympathy, which sold over a million copies and reached number 27 on the charts.
Kaff’s musical talents also saw him playing keyboards for none other than Chuck Berry on the album The London Chuck Berry Sessions—a testament to his versatility and skill.
After This Is Spinal Tap catapulted him to international fame, Kaff joined his fellow cast members for a real-life tour, even performing on Saturday Night Live in 1984. However, he left the group at the end of that year, moving on to other musical and creative pursuits.
This Is Spinal Tap isn’t just a movie—it’s a phenomenon. With a 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a place in the US National Film Registry (recognised as ‘culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant’), the film’s influence can’t be overstated.
It’s been quoted, parodied, and referenced in everything from The Simpsons to Wayne’s World, and its mockumentary style paved the way for hits like The Office and Parks and Recreation.
Fans have been buzzing with excitement about the upcoming sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which is set for release in September. The new film will see the band reuniting for one last performance after 15 years apart.
While Kaff won’t be reprising his role, his spirit and legacy will undoubtedly be felt throughout the film.
Director Rob Reiner, who also played the hapless documentarian Marty DiBergi in the original, has promised that the sequel will honour the original’s legacy while bringing something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.
The impact of This Is Spinal Tap goes far beyond laughs. It’s a loving send-up of rock ‘n’ roll excess, a sharp satire of the music industry, and a celebration of the camaraderie (and chaos) that comes with being in a band.
Kaff’s Viv Savage, with his gentle optimism and unflappable attitude, was a key part of that magic.
As Bleecker Street’s CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson put it: ‘This Is Spinal Tap isn’t just a movie – it’s a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music.’
As we look forward to the sequel, let’s take a moment to remember Kaff’s infectious spirit and the joy he brought to so many. Whether you’re a die-hard Spinal Tap fan or just discovering the film for the first time, his performance as Viv Savage is sure to keep you smiling.
Read more: He shared his aloha in Lilo & Stitch—then said goodbye to us with a haunting final post
Have you got a favourite memory of This Is Spinal Tap or David Kaff’s work? Are you excited for the new sequel, or do you have a story about seeing the original in cinemas? We’d love to hear your thoughts and tributes—share your memories in the comments below and let’s celebrate a true legend whose legacy will always go up to eleven.
Kaff, whose real name was David Kaffinetti, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 11 at the age of 79, just months before the much-anticipated sequel to the legendary film is set to hit cinemas.
For those who remember the original 1984 film, Kaff’s portrayal of Viv Savage was unforgettable.
With his laid-back motto—‘Have a good time…all the time’—and his wide-eyed wonder at ‘this computer magic’, Kaff’s character embodied the quirky, offbeat humour that made This Is Spinal Tap a touchstone for generations of fans.
The film, directed by Rob Reiner, followed the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap on a hilariously disastrous American tour, and quickly became a cult favourite, pioneering the mockumentary genre and influencing countless comedies that followed.
Kaff’s passing was announced by his band, Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom, who shared: ‘David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it! RIP dear brother.’
Iconic actor and musician David Kaff, who played Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap, has died peacefully in his sleep at age 79, just months before the sequel’s release. Image source: HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITY / Youtube.
Before he was Viv Savage, Kaffinetti was already a respected musician. He was a founding member of the British progressive rock band Rare Bird, best known for their 1969 hit Sympathy, which sold over a million copies and reached number 27 on the charts.
Kaff’s musical talents also saw him playing keyboards for none other than Chuck Berry on the album The London Chuck Berry Sessions—a testament to his versatility and skill.
This Is Spinal Tap, a cult classic mockumentary released in 1984 and chosen for preservation by the National Film Registry, is widely praised and has a strong legacy in both film and music. Image source: HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITY / Youtube.
After This Is Spinal Tap catapulted him to international fame, Kaff joined his fellow cast members for a real-life tour, even performing on Saturday Night Live in 1984. However, he left the group at the end of that year, moving on to other musical and creative pursuits.
This Is Spinal Tap isn’t just a movie—it’s a phenomenon. With a 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a place in the US National Film Registry (recognised as ‘culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant’), the film’s influence can’t be overstated.
It’s been quoted, parodied, and referenced in everything from The Simpsons to Wayne’s World, and its mockumentary style paved the way for hits like The Office and Parks and Recreation.
Fans have been buzzing with excitement about the upcoming sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which is set for release in September. The new film will see the band reuniting for one last performance after 15 years apart.
Kaff was a founding member of British prog rock band Rare Bird, known for their hit Sympathy, and also played keyboards for Chuck Berry. Image source: HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITY / Youtube.
While Kaff won’t be reprising his role, his spirit and legacy will undoubtedly be felt throughout the film.
Director Rob Reiner, who also played the hapless documentarian Marty DiBergi in the original, has promised that the sequel will honour the original’s legacy while bringing something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.
The impact of This Is Spinal Tap goes far beyond laughs. It’s a loving send-up of rock ‘n’ roll excess, a sharp satire of the music industry, and a celebration of the camaraderie (and chaos) that comes with being in a band.
Kaff’s Viv Savage, with his gentle optimism and unflappable attitude, was a key part of that magic.
As Bleecker Street’s CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson put it: ‘This Is Spinal Tap isn’t just a movie – it’s a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music.’
As we look forward to the sequel, let’s take a moment to remember Kaff’s infectious spirit and the joy he brought to so many. Whether you’re a die-hard Spinal Tap fan or just discovering the film for the first time, his performance as Viv Savage is sure to keep you smiling.
Read more: He shared his aloha in Lilo & Stitch—then said goodbye to us with a haunting final post
Have you got a favourite memory of This Is Spinal Tap or David Kaff’s work? Are you excited for the new sequel, or do you have a story about seeing the original in cinemas? We’d love to hear your thoughts and tributes—share your memories in the comments below and let’s celebrate a true legend whose legacy will always go up to eleven.
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