Iconic '80s Rocker Dead at 79, Leaving Band ‘Devastated'
In the heyday of rock bands, one British heavy metal band captivated audiences in a film documenting their first United States tour in six years.
There was something different about this 'rockumentary,' though. The band–and their comedy of errors documentary–was entirely a farce.
This is Spinal Tap, the beloved Rob Reiner 1984 mockumentary, returned to the headlines last March with the announcement that Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will hit theaters on September 12. Before its satirical 'end' on the silver screen, though, the much-adored rockers have another, far more serious, end to contend with.
David Kaff, 79, known for his portrayal of fan-favorite character Viv Savage, keyboardist in This is Spinal Tap, passed away on July 11. His current band, Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, announced his death on Facebook with a touching tribute.
'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday,' the band wrote. 'We are devastated by this event.'
The message went on to say, '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.' The band did not share a cause of death.
Rolling Stone reported that Kaff was not slated to appear in the long-awaited This is Spinal Tap sequel, despite boasting one of the most memorable lines in the original film. When asked what his life's motto is, Kaff as Savage says, "Have a good time… all the time."
Born in Kent in south-east England as David Kaffinetti, Kaff started his career in rock 'n roll as a keyboardist with the progressive rock band 'Rare Bird'. He followed this tenure with a spot in the short-lived 'supergroup' Natural Gas in 1975 according to a BAM interview with the rockstar in 1991, and was even a studio artist for Chuck Berry in 1972, People reported.
Kaff went on to land the part of Viv Savage in This is Spinal Tap, a role that became so synonymous with his name that any time he changed his address, he had to also submit change of address paperwork for Viv Savage. 'There really are people who write to me and put Viv Savage on the envelope!" he told BAM with an emphatic laugh.
Kaff performed several live shows with the fictional Spinal Tap band after the film's release, including a Saturday Night Live performance in 1984, before continuing his music career with bands like the Oakland-based Model Citizenz, according to BAM.
Despite his prolific musical career, Kaff did not mind his fictional character's popularity.
'I played him very close to my heart," he told BAM, "just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me."
Iconic '80s Rocker Dead at 79, Leaving Band 'Devastated' first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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