Latest news with #Sympathy
San Francisco Chronicle
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Spinal Tap' actor and longtime Bay Area musician David Kaffinetti dies at 79
David Kaffinetti, the British-born musician and actor who brought to life the endearingly vacant keyboardist Viv Savage in the 1984 cult mockumentary ' This Is Spinal Tap ' has died. He was 79. His death, at his East Bay home on Friday, July 11, was announced by his bandmates in the local group Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, who wrote on Facebook that Kaffinetti 'passed away peacefully in his sleep.' No cause of death was given. 'David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand,' they added. 'Then he'd make you smile doing it!' Born on April 17, 1946, in Folkestone, England, Kaffinetti began studying classical piano at age 5 before discovering rock 'n' roll through artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. He co-founded the progressive rock band Rare Bird in the late 1960s, scoring a U.K. hit with 'Sympathy' in 1969. But it was as Viv Savage — the mumbling, lab coat–wearing synth player with the immortal mantra, 'Have a good time … all the time' — that Kaffinetti found pop culture permanence. His turn in Spinal Tap, alongside co-creators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, cemented his place in rock satire history. Though he left the fictional band later that year, he remained active in music, performing with Bay Area acts like Model Citizenz and continuing to embrace the persona that made him a fan favorite. A sequel to 'This Is Spinal Tap' is set for release in September. Kaffinetti was not involved in the production.
Extra.ie
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
BREAKING: Tributes pour in as rock icon dead at 79
Actor and musician David Kaff, known for playing the Spinal Tap keyboardist Viv Savage in the film This Is Spinal Tap, has died aged 79. Kaff's current band, Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, confirmed his death on Facebook. 'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday. We are devastated by this event. 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! R.I.P,. Dear brother,' they posted. Born in southern England in Kent, he launched his music career in 1969 as a founding member of the progressive rock band Rare Bird. The group released five studio albums between 1969 and 1974. Their single Sympathy reached no.1 in both France and Italy as well as no. 27 in the UK singles charts in February 1970, with the track having sold an estimated one million copies globally. Kaff was also involved in session work on Chuck Berrys 1972 album, The London Chuck Berry Sessions. He was later cast as Viv Savage, the keyboardist for the fictional rock band Spinal Tap, in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap. Following the release of the film, the group continued as a band, performing at concerts and live television appearances. Kaff's final involvement with Spinal Tap was their 1984 appearance on Saturday Night Live. By the end of that same year, Kaff had departed from the group and was no longer associated with any subsequent Spinal Tap projects. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, a follow-up to This is Spinal Tap, has been announced with a cinema release date later this year.
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
This Is Spinal Tap's David Kaff dies aged 79
David Kaff has died aged 79. The actor and musician - who was best-known for playing keyboardist Viv Savage in Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap - passed away on Friday (11.07.25). Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, his band, said in a Facebook post: "Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep. We are devastated by this event. 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 (sic)" Kaff's cause of death has not yet been revealed. The musician - whose real name was David Kaffinetti - was a founding of the progressive rock band Rare Bird, which released five studio albums between 1969 and 1975. Sympathy, the band's 1970 single, is estimated to have sold one million copies globally. Kaff was cast as a Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap, the mockumentary comedy film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner, which was released in 1984 to critical acclaim. Kaff starred in the movie alongside the likes of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, and he even appeared in the band's Saturday Night Live performance in 1984. The musician had a relatively small role in the film, but he still became well-known for some of his memorable lines, like "Have a good time … all the time" and "Quite exciting, this computer magic!". Kaff admitted in 1991 that he actually shared a lot of traits with his on-screen character. He told BAM: "I played him very close to my heart, just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me." After cutting ties with Spinal Tap, Kaff went on to star in the bands Model Citizenz and Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom. And while a sequel to This Is Spinal Tap - entitled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues - is slated to be released later this year, Kaff is reported to have had no involvement with the project.
Metro
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Musician and Spinal Tap star David Kaff dies aged 79
David Kaff, best known for his role in the 80s film This Is Spinal Tap, has died. The 79-year-old actor and musician died last week, with his band announcing the news, but not specifying the cause of death. Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, Kaff's band, announced on social media on Friday, July 11: 'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday. 'We are devastated by this event. '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.' Kaff was a member of the progressive rock band Rare Bird for six years between 1969 and 1975, releasing five albums during their time together. Their single Sympathy reached the top 30 in 1970 in the UK singles chart. He was later in the band Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom. Fans were quick to share their sincere condolences with the band on social media. Billy Garoutte commented on the Facebook post: 'My deepest condolences sent. 😕' 'Rest in peace Viv. Condolences to family and friends. Love and Aloha,' said Tim Gannon, referencing Kaff's most famous acting role. 'Very very sorry for the loss,' said Kevin Beville. Despite his musical success he was best known by fans for playing Spinal Tap keyboardist, Viv Savage, in the popular 1984 musical comedy This Is Spinal Tap. The original 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap mocked heavy rock bands, pointing out the ridiculousness of their backstage debaucherous behaviour and outfits. More Trending The mockumentary centred on the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap – and was filled with quotable moments that decades later still have people reciting. The movie was a massive success, leading to the main trio actually performing as Spinal Tap at various concerts, including at Glastonbury Festival, Live Earth concerts, and at a tribute to Freddie Mercury. A Spinal Tap sequel, titled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, has been released – with Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney confirmed to cameo. The new film is set to feature the original cast members, including Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, and director Rob Reiner. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Legendary 00s band announce huge tour after cancelling Glastonbury slot MORE: Pokemon voice actor James Carter Cathcart dies aged 71 MORE: EastEnders star Frank Barrie dies aged 88 as tributes are paid
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
David Kaff dead aged 79: Spinal Tap keyboardist & Chuck Berry band member dies as tributes pour in for rocker
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROCK legend David Kaff has died at 79. The keyboardist performed with the likes of Chuck Berry, and gained fame as a star in This is Spinal Tap. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Rock star David Kaff has died at 79 Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 2 David Kaff (back right) gained fame as the keyboardist in Spinal Tap Credit: Kaff's band Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom announced the news of his death on Friday, July 11. They wrote: "Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday. "We are devastated by this event. "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." Read more Entertainment MAIN SQUEEZE Hailey Bieber reveals her enviable figure and hip tattoo in a lemon bikini A cause of death wasn't noted. He was known for portraying the keyboardist Viv Savage in popular 1984 musical comedy This Is Spinal Tap. The mockumentary centred on the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap - characterised as "one of England's loudest bands". It led to a performance on Saturday Night Live in 1984. In the film's end credits, Kaff's character reminds audiences to "have a good the time." A sequel to the movie is set to release in September, although Kaff is not listed on the credits. Kaff was a founding member of the rock group Rare Bird from 1969 to 1975. The band released five studio albums, with their song "Sympathy" selling an estimated one million copies globally. He went on to work with Chuck Berry as a session musician for The London Chuck Berry Sessions in 1972.
