Spinal Tap: The Voice of a Generation

I was reminded as our band traveled to Ohio last week of the enduring legacy of the Christopher Guest masterpiece mockumentary: "This is Spinal Tap." Our entire trip we were constantly intoning "Hello, Cleveland!" in homage to Spinal Tap. This is the 25th anniversary of the release of the movie in 1984. And to this day I think I quote Tap almost daily, hourly.

Something about the film captured what it means to work in the music business so perfectly, with such nuance and accuracy, that it took a parody of the business to paint the real picture. You have to laugh to keep from crying sometimes. I've met all of the character types portrayed in the film in my travels. I've been lost trying to find my way to the stage in unfamiliar theatres too many times to count. I even worked for the lady that the character Bobbi Flekman was based upon. Fran Drescher had it closer than she knew.

To think that this quarter century old film still has such presence today is staggering.

I met Harry Shearer very briefly at a gig in Austin, TX a few years back. Despite his enormous body of professional work, all I could really say to him was: "I'm a huge Derek Smalls fan. I even have your action figure!" He replied: "Thank you for not calling it a doll." Yes, I own the set of three Spinal Tap action figures in testimony to my respect of their achievements.

I was thrilled in 2005 to see Tap perform their classic "Big Bottom" at the Live 8 concert before about a billion people. In a continuing show of their genius, they invited every bass player performing at the entire festival to join them onstage for the song. Brilliant. Even Derek Smalls' wig is now salt and pepper to reflect that he's a rock star of a certain age now (see photo above). If you didn't see the performance, here's a youtube link.

I recommend the deluxe edition DVD release of the movie too because it contains nearly another feature film's worth of deleted scenes, equally brilliant to the main cut of the movie. And there's and entire commentary track to the film done by the three principals in character! It's like having a third entire movie. Hysterical.

I'm not on Christopher Guest's payroll, nor Embassy Pictures. But what I am is a working class musician who appreciates the unique voice Spinal Tap gave to my profession. Turn it up to 11!

Ivan "Funkboy" Bodley
Brooklyn, NY

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