Spinal Tap Keyboardist David Kaff Dead At 79
British musician David Kaff, who portrayed keyboardist Viv Savage in the cult classic 1984 mockumentary ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ has died, aged 79.
David Kaff passed away peacefully in his sleep on 11 July, according to a statement from his bandmates in Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom.
“We are devastated by this event,” they wrote on Facebook.
“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.”
Spinal Tap lead singer and actor Michael McKean also offered his condolences with a simple tribute on X, posting: “RIP Dave Kaff”.
The character of Viv Savage was a typical, hard-partying rock star who lived by the motto: “have a good time, all the time”. David Kaff perfectly embodied the Viv Savage character, delivering few but memorable lines in ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.
Alongside lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Kaff as Viv Savage helped create an immortal slice of rock and roll history. Directed by Rob Reiner, who plays fictional filmmaker and die-hard Spinal Tap fan Marty DiBergi, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ follows the band as they try to reclaim some remnant of heavy metal glory from their past.
Born David Kaffinetti in 1946, Kaff was a prominent keyboardist in Britain prior to his Spinal Tap fame. In 1970, his band Rare Bird hit the charts with the 1970 single ‘Sympathy’, featuring Kaff on organ.
Following the film, David Kaff chose not to perform with Spinal Tap in further incarnations of the band, preferring to play in smaller groups. Nevertheless, his brief stint in the band left an indelible mark on music and pop culture.
The news of David Kaff’s passing comes as a sequel to the original film entitled ‘This Is Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ is scheduled for release in September. Kaff was not involved in the film.
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