In 1984 Marty DeBergi, previously best known as the director of “Chuck Wagon” dog food commercials, tackled the ambitious documentary – or “rockumentary” – This Is Spinal Tap, an enduring monument to UK hard rock forefathers Spinal Tap. The film followed the band on their U.S. tour promoting Smell the Glove (or the Black Album). In it, we got up close and personal with these giants of metal – lead singer David St. Hubbins, guitarist Nigel Tufnel and bassist Derek Smalls - to experience the sights, sounds and smells of their live act as well as learn the true stories behind their tragic succession of drummers. Fans thrilled to an exclusive glimpse at Tufnel’s famed guitar collection, including a unique amp that goes to “11″, and witnessed the artistry behind mounting complex number “Stonehenge”. The band split following the release of the documentary only to reunite frequently over the last few decades – notably 1992 for album Break Like the Wind produced by T-Bone Burnett and this summer for Live Earth to combat global warming. Says DeBergi, still following his longtime subjects, “They’re not that environmentally conscious, but they’ve heard of global warming. Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing – that if he just took his jacket off it would be cooler.” Today, Nigel Tufnel is grooming minature horses for the race circuit. David St. Hubbins, still in music, jumped genres, and is currently working as a hip-hop producer. Derek Smalls, sadly, is in rehab for internet addiction.

This Is Spinal Tap on IMDB
Complete Spinal Tap Discography
Spinal Tap.com
Excerpt of The A-Z of Spinal Tap
Criterion Collection essay on This Is Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap reunites for Live Earth
From the 885 Blog: Jim McGuinn on Seeing Spinal Tap for the first time, or the 50th