What band(s) is Spinal Tap based on?
Exploring the Bands That Inspired Spinal Tap
The cult classic mockumentary film “This Is Spinal Tap” is a satirical look at the world of rock music and has become a beloved staple in the comedy genre. Released in 1984, the film follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap on their disastrous North American tour. While the film is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from various real-life bands and experiences in the rock music industry. Let’s delve into the bands that served as inspiration for the iconic scenes in “Spinal Tap.”
Multiple Bands
The inspiration for Spinal Tap is a combination of various bands and experiences in the rock music industry. The film’s creators, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, drew from their own observations and encounters with numerous bands to create the satirical world of Spinal Tap. By amalgamating different elements, they crafted a parody that resonated with both music industry insiders and fans alike.
The Troggs
The Troggs, known for their hit song “Wild Thing,” played a role in inspiring a scene in the film. The band was once recorded having a serious argument in the studio, and this widely-circulated recording is said to have influenced a scene in “Spinal Tap” where the band members nearly come apart during the recording of a guitar solo.
Uriah Heep
John Sinclair, the keyboard player portrayed by Christopher Guest in the film, had recently toured with the band Uriah Heep. Sinclair’s anecdote about Uriah Heep being booked to play on an Air Force base inspired a scene in “Spinal Tap.” This scene showcases the band’s encounter with unusual gig locations and the challenges that come with them.
Tom Petty
One memorable scene in “Spinal Tap” involves the band getting lost backstage. This scene, where they navigate labyrinthine maintenance tunnels while shouting phrases like “Rock and roll!” and “Hello, Cleveland!” was directly inspired by a tape of Tom Petty. In the footage, Petty is seen walking backstage and unexpectedly ending up on an indoor tennis court, expressing a moment of confusion similar to what the band experiences in the film.
Van Halen and Yul Brynner
Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, has a memorable backstage freakout over the deli tray provided by the venue. This scene was inspired by Van Halen’s notorious request to have no brown M&M candies backstage. The filmmakers took this idea and exaggerated it for comedic effect. Additionally, Yul Brynner, a renowned actor, influenced the scene as he reportedly had a contract specifying that no white eggs should be substituted for brown. This detail added a touch of absurdity to Tufnel’s demands.
Eric Clapton
Christopher Guest’s character in “Spinal Tap” is named Nigel Tufnel, and the name allegedly draws inspiration from Eric Clapton. The creators used a formula of combining a dull name with a location in London to create the character’s name. “Eric” became “Nigel,” and “Clapton Pond” became “Tufnell Park.”
Saxon
The British heavy metal band Saxon claims to have influenced the creation of Spinal Tap. Harry Shearer, who portrayed the bass player in the film, actually went on tour with Saxon before the movie was made. Saxon’s influence on the film is evident in the satirical portrayal of the heavy metal genre and the exaggerated characters that populate the world of Spinal Tap.
In conclusion, “This Is Spinal Tap” draws inspiration from a variety of bands and real-life experiences in the rock music industry. Through clever satire and exaggerated characters, the film has become a timeless comedy that continues to entertain audiences. The bands mentioned, including The Troggs, Uriah Heep, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Yul Brynner, Eric Clapton, and Saxon, all played a part in shaping the comedic landscape of “Spinal Tap.”
FAQs
What bands served as inspiration for the fictional band Spinal Tap?
Spinal Tap draws inspiration from various bands and experiences in the rock music industry.
How did The Troggs influence scenes in the film?
The Troggs, known for their hit song “Wild Thing,” inspired a scene in the film where Spinal Tap has a serious argument in the studio.
What role did Uriah Heep play in inspiring Spinal Tap?
John Sinclair, the keyboard player portrayed by Christopher Guest in the film, had recently toured with Uriah Heep. Sinclair’s anecdote about Uriah Heep being booked to play on an Air Force base inspired a scene in the movie.
Which scene in Spinal Tap was directly inspired by Tom Petty?
A scene in the film where the band gets lost backstage was directly inspired by a tape of Tom Petty walking backstage and ending up on an indoor tennis court, expressing a moment of confusion.
How did Van Halen and Yul Brynner influence Spinal Tap?
Nigel Tufnel’s backstage freakout over the deli tray was inspired by Van Halen’s request to have no brown M&Ms backstage, and Yul Brynner’s contract specifying no white eggs be substituted for brown also influenced the scene.
Was Eric Clapton a source of inspiration for a character in Spinal Tap?
Yes, the name of Christopher Guest’s character, Nigel Tufnel, was allegedly inspired by Eric Clapton, using a formula of a dull name combined with a location in London.
Did the band Saxon have any influence on Spinal Tap?
The British heavy metal band Saxon claims to have influenced Spinal Tap, as Harry Shearer (who played the bass player in the film) toured with Saxon before the movie was made.
How did the creators of Spinal Tap combine elements from different bands?
The creators of Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, drew from their own observations and encounters with numerous bands to create the satirical world of Spinal Tap. They combined various elements to craft a parody that resonated with both music industry insiders and fans.