Ric Parnell, one of the stars of the comedy documentary This Is Spinal Tap, about a fictional heavy metal band, has died. This was announced on Monday (May 2) by Harry Shearer, who also starred in the 1984 film as an actor/musician (he played Derek Smalls). Parnell, who played drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film, lived to be 70. The cause of death initially remained unclear.
Colleagues and friends said goodbye to Parnell on social media. The most beautiful bow came from musician and actor Michael des Barres, who had worked with the deceased on several occasions. He wrote on Twitter: “Some musicians play a role. Others are rock ‘n’ roll. Ric Parnell was the latter. A real guy. Driven by a rhythm that was both shrill and beautiful. His heart keeps beating. RIP.”
Ric Parnell, Spinal Tap drummer ‘Mick Shrimpton,’ Dead at 70
Some musicians are playing a role. Others are rock’n’roll. Ric Parnell was the latter. The real thing. Lost and found in a rhythm that was both jarring and beautiful.
His heart still beats. RIP https://t.co/5f0GK70E3n— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) May 2, 2022
Ric Parnell also contributed to the film’s soundtrack and was featured on the follow-up album, Break Like The Wind, released in 1992.
“This Is Spinal Tap”: First a flop, later a cult film
Born to jazz drummer Jack Parnell, Ric played in the bands Atomic Rooster and Horse in the 1970s and reportedly also had offers to join Journey and Whitesnake – but turned them down.
However, the drummer gained fame primarily through “This Is Spinal Tap”. Rob Reiner’s directorial debut (“Harry and Sally”) flopped when it was released in cinemas in 1984 because the satirical background initially caused problems for many viewers. However, later home cinema evaluations ensured that the mockumentary became a cult film.
Joining Ric Parnell as Mick Shrimpton in This Is Spinal Tap is Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins), Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel) and Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls). The unscripted film claims the band started as a hippie formation in the ’60s and eventually transformed into an unsuccessful heavy metal combo. A curse accompanies Spinal Tap: all of their drummers seek a horrible death, bursting into flames on stage, as does Shrimpton.