Spinal Tap Director Claps Back At Iconic Heavy Metal Band!

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In an interview with Ebaster, director Rob Reiner shared that a legendary heavy metal band took offense to the comedy film “This Is Spinal Tap,” but Reiner dismissed their criticism. To mark the 41st anniversary of the movie’s release, Reiner revealed that many scenes in “This is Spinal Tap” are based on true events involving famous bands.

As a filmmaker, I delved into the realm of truth, drawing inspiration from genuine tales that resonated within me. Among those stories were the misadventures of Tom Petty and his band, The Heartbreakers, getting disoriented backstage, and the extraordinary antics surrounding Van Halen’s eccentric backstage requirements.

Reiner is acknowledged as a collaborator in the scriptwriting for “This is Spinal Tap”, alongside Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean – collectively portraying the heavy metal band on screen. They drew inspiration from real-life rock ‘n’ roll incidents, while infusing their creative ideas as well. Interestingly, it was one of these fabricated anecdotes that sparked the ire of some legendary rock musicians.

Black Sabbath Were “Furious” After Watching This Is Spinal Tap

Black Sabbath Thought That Reiner Had Stolen Their Idea

One of the most hilarious moments in the movie “This is Spinal Tap” involves a scene where the band imagines a massive replica of Stonehenge on stage. However, due to a mix-up, they’re left dealing with a tiny 18-inch model instead of the intended 18-foot one. Following the release of “This is Spinal Tap”, Black Sabbath expressed disagreement with this portrayal.

Black Sabbath was touring without Ozzy Osbourne when our movie came out, and they released their concert approximately two or three weeks prior to ours. In their show, they had a set piece featuring Stonehenge, which was a source of anger for them as they believed we had taken the Stonehenge theme from them in our film. – Rob Reiner

As a film enthusiast, I can confidently say that the idea behind this movie was brewing among the writers for years before it hit the big screen. It’s simply impossible that they could have mimicked Black Sabbath’s staging so swiftly, given that their Stonehenge replica debuted on tour just a few weeks prior to our film’s production.

“To me, it was the best thing, because what morons. What did they think? They [thought] that we shot the film, we edited it, [and] we got it into the theaters in two weeks? I mean, it is ludicrous. But to me, that was the great, perfect heavy metal moment: that they were so dumb that they thought that we stole it from them.” – Rob Reiner

After adopting and modifying numerous tales from actual heavy metal bands, it’s fitting that Spinal Tap completed its cycle, ultimately playing a part in what Reiner refers to as an “excellent, ideal heavy metal instance”. Although they are not real, the band has still left its mark on rock-and-roll history in a unique way.

Our Take On Reiner’s Comments

This Is Spinal Tap’s Satire Is Spot-On

It’s quite an achievement for a satirical film or series to accurately predict future events, as it demonstrates their uncanny ability to mirror the culture they are mocking. For instance, even though the movie “This is Spinal Tap” was released just a few weeks after Black Sabbath’s tour, it’s still remarkable that they foresaw a heavy metal band using an image of Stonehenge as part of their act.

Stonehenge is steeped in significance due to the enigma surrounding its beginnings and the ethereal image of ancient England it portrays, filled with mystical druids and shrouded rituals, which makes it a convenient tool for a heavy metal band aiming to establish an air of eternal cosmic mystery.

In a humorous twist, the writers of Spinal Tap ridicule the widely-respected symbolism of Stonehenge in today’s world by making it smaller on stage, suggesting that it’s merely a shallow imitation when people try to attach false reverence to an ancient culture that is not well understood. This critique is especially noticeable in Britain, where artists have frequently depicted the country’s past as otherworldly and mysterious.

In 1984, “This is Spinal Tap” was a sharp, timely satire that hit its mark. However, the question remains: will “Spinal Tap: The End Continues” still resonate in 2025, given that heavy metal may no longer be popular? Despite the fact that Reiner and the band are returning, along with yet another series of drummers who seem to have a knack for accidents, there’s enough reason to stay hopeful.

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2025-07-04 13:29