Details of “This Is Spinal Tap” Sequel Emerge as Derek Smalls Reissues Solo Debut
It’s been 40 years since This Is Spinal Tap spoofed and celebrated the madness of rock and roll, and now director Rob Reiner has revealed a proper sequel is in the works. Reiner appeared on the RHLSTP with Richard Herring podcast and confirmed that filming will begin in February and that “everybody’s back.” That includes Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and the almighty Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer).
Reiner also gave the film’s premise.
“They’ve played Albert Hall, played Wembley Stadium, all over the country and in Europe. They haven’t spent any time together recently,” he said. “The idea was that Ian Faith, who was their manager, passed away. In reality, Tony Hendra passed away. Ian’s widow inherited a contract that said Spinal Tap owed them one more concert. She was basically going to sue them if they didn’t. All these years and a lot of bad blood we’ll get into, and they’re thrown back together and forced to deal with each other and play this concert.”
Smalls won’t be the only bass hero as Reiner revealed the upcoming movie will have cameos by Elton John, Garth Brooks, and Beatles bass man Paul McCartney.
News of the sequel’s filming comes at the same time as Smalls has reissued his 2018 solo debut, Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing). The re-release has two prefiously unreleased tracks that were recorded at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles during 2019.
The deluxe edition of Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing) is available now on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and more.
