NEED TO KNOW
David Kaff, known for portraying the keyboardist Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap, has died. He was 79.
Kaff’s band Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom announced the news of his death on Friday, July 11, on Facebook. “Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday,” they wrote.
“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.” A cause of death wasn’t noted.
The keyboard player had one of the most quotable and memorable lines in the 1984 mockumentary. In the fim’s credits when asked for his life’s motto, Kaff’s Savage says, “Have a good time… all the time.”
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Born David Kaffinetti in April 1946, Kaff’s musical skills predate his role in the cult classic This Is Spinal Tap. Per Ultimate Classic Rock, the musician was a founding member of the British progressive rock band Rare Bird from 1969 to 1975, best known for the song “Sympathy.”
He also worked with Chuck Berry as a session musician for the guitarist’s The London Chuck Berry Sessions in 1972.
The actors who performed in the fictitious band Spinal Tap wound up performing several actual shows together, including an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1984.
Speaking to BAM in 1991, Kaff said he has “a great affection for Viv.” “I played him very close to my heart,” he said at the time, “just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they’ll like me.”
At the time, he also spoke about being part of a potential This Is Spinal Tap sequel. “I just hope I’m a part of whatever they do!” he said. In 2022, there were reports of Rob Reiner returning to direct and multiple cast members returning.
The movie is slated to release in September, per Variety.
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According to IMDb, Kaff appeared on the soundtrack of the 1970 TV movie Cowboy in Sweden, the 1998 movie Black Dog, and on an episode of the TV series Trust.
Per AV Club, Kaff was also part of the Oakland-based Model Citizenz, and most recently Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom from San Francisco.
During the COVID pandemic, Kaff posted on Facebook that he was working on art, telling his followers to contact him for pricing and delivery. “I am so happy to be doing this and hope you see something you feel good about as well,” he wrote in August 2020.
“I am having a ‘Good Time’ so join me!!”
