Former Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate recently shared a bizarre, “Spinal Tap“-esque incident from his early career, involving a backstage meltdown over catering. The story mirrors a classic scene from the iconic 1984 mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap,” a film celebrated for its hilariously accurate portrayal of rock band eccentricities.
When asked by Finland’s Tumma Nuotti to recall his “funniest ‘Spinal Tap‘ moment,” Tate immediately pointed to the scene where Spinal Tap guitarist Nigel Tufnel complains about a deli tray. “Well, my ‘Spinal Tap‘ moment would be the scene in the movie where — I can’t remember the characters’ names, but the guy’s complaining about backstage in his dressing room with the sandwich meat,” Tate recounted (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
What makes Tate‘s story particularly striking is that his real-life experience predates the movie’s release. He revealed it happened while he was on tour with Whitesnake. “Before the movie came out, I was on tour with Whitesnake and [Whitesnake leader] David Coverdale was having a meltdown in his dressing room regarding the same issue about the catering and the meat didn’t fit the sandwich,” Geoff continued. “And I swear, somebody heard that and they wrote that into the ‘Spinal Tap‘ movie years later, because it was the exact same scene.”
At the time, a young Tate found Coverdale‘s outburst puzzling. “At the time, I remember I was very young and I remember thinking, ‘Why is [Coverdale] upset about that?'” Tate added. However, with age and experience, he gained perspective. “But the older I get, I really understand that he wanted it done — he wanted his dressing room set up the way he wanted it to be set up. It makes it better and easier for him, and that’s why he has it there. And so it wasn’t done right. And so he was letting his guy know that he wasn’t gonna take it anymore.”
“This Is Spinal Tap” has achieved cult classic status since its theatrical debut over four decades ago. Produced independently on a modest budget of $2.25 million by a company owned by its four creators—Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer—the film took two years to produce before its 1984 release. It quickly became a fan favorite, pioneering the “mockumentary” genre and inspiring countless filmmakers that followed. Phrases from its script, such as “none more black” and “it goes to 11,” have since entered general lexicon, with the latter even influencing product designs like the audio system volume in Tesla cars and the BBC’s iPlayer.
The film’s reputation as one of the 20th century’s most enduring comedies has grown exponentially. It has received international acclaim, appearing on numerous “best ever” lists, including The New York Times Guide to the Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made, Total Film‘s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time, and Entertainment Weekly‘s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. It notably claimed the No. 1 spot on Time Out London‘s 100 Best Comedy Movies list. In 2002, its cultural significance was recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress, which designated it as a culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant film.
Fans of the original are also eagerly anticipating a new chapter for the fictional band. “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” will see director Rob Reiner reunite with original stars Christopher Guest (as Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (as David St Hubbins), and Harry Shearer (as Derek Smalls) to reprise their iconic roles. Reiner will also return as documentarian Martin “Marty” DiBergi. The sequel follows the legendary heavy metal group as they reunite for one final concert after a 15-year hiatus, promising exciting cameos from music legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood.
