RIP David Kaff: Viv Savage’s ‘Spinal Tap’ legacy continues to rock on
Kaff’s closing as Viv Savage became a cult classic: 'Have a good time, all the time'
David Kaff, the British musician and actor known for his iconic role as Keyboardist Viv Savage in the 1984 film, This Is Spinal Tap has died at age 79.
The news was shared by Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom on their Facebook account, that reads: “Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday.”
David Kaffinetti, the musician was a founding member of the English progressive rock band known as Rare Bird from 1969 to 1975.
David Kaff early life & career
David Kaffinetti was born on April 17, 1946, in Folkestone, England. Kaff studied classical piano as a child before falling in love with rock’n’roll in his teens.
In his early 20s, he co-founded prog rock group Rare Bird, that’s best known for their 1969 track Sympathy.
Their single Sympathy reached number 27 in February 1970, selling an estimate of one million copies globally.
The band is credited to have released five studio albums between 1969 and 1975 and were one of the first bands to sign with Charisma Records.
All the buzz about This Is Spinal Tap
Kaff was cast as Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap, the keyboardist of the fictional band.
Though Kaff role was smaller than those of co-stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, but Kaff’s closing line became a cult classic: “Have a good time, all the time. That’s my philosophy.”
Kaff had also contributed to the film’s soundtrack which ranked at No 121 on the Billboard 200 and also played with the group’s live performances at Saturday Night Live.
After Spinal Tap, David Kaff left the fictional band and went on to play in groups like Model Citizenz and Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom.
Did David Kaff appear in the Spinal Tap sequel prior to his passing?
After the original film was re-released recently, a sequel: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, directed by Rob Reiner is set to be released on September 12 this year, but Kaff wasn’t slated to return for the new film.
After 15 years apart, Spinal Tap reunites for a final farewell concert, featuring cameos from music legends Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Garth Brooks.
The legend musician has left the world stage, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through eternity.
