This Is Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap

Year: 1984

Runtime: 82 min

Language: English

ComedyMusic

This hilarious mockumentary follows the fictional rock band Spinal Tap as they tour the U.S. promoting their new album. The film humorously explores the absurdities of the music industry, showcasing the band's struggles with equipment malfunctions, disastrous concert attendance, and interpersonal conflicts. Through interviews and performance footage, the film satirizes the excesses and egos often associated with rock and roll stardom, offering a comedic look at the life of a touring band.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen This Is Spinal Tap yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Trace every key event in This Is Spinal Tap (1984) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Formation of Spïnal Tap

The iconic rock band Spïnal Tap is formed, featuring members David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derick Smalls. They begin their journey with high hopes and aspirations for rock stardom, setting the stage for a series of comedic misadventures.

2

Bizarre Drummer Accidents

Throughout their career, Spïnal Tap faces a comical string of misfortunes with their drummers, who have met odd fates ranging from spontaneous human combustion to choking on their vomit. These incidents add to the band's infamous reputation and contribute to their rotating lineup.

3

Launch of 'Smell the Glove'

As the band prepares for the promotion of their new album 'Smell the Glove', they encounter controversy over its provocative cover art depicting a woman in bondage. Despite the backlash, they perform at Madison Square Garden, marking a successful opening for their latest tour.

Madison Square Garden
4

Sad Reception at the Recording Industry Convention

Their journey continues at the Recording Industry Convention in Atlanta, where the band faces canceled gigs and harsh criticism of their album cover. This culminates in a heated argument with their record label CEO, revealing the inner turmoil and mounting frustrations.

Atlanta
5

Discontent in Chapel Hill

While waiting for their performance in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Nigel expresses his frustration with the horrid food served to them. This sets the tone for their performance of 'Hell Hole', which is received warmly despite the band's ongoing troubles.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
6

Manager's Denial

Back with Marty DiBergi, it becomes evident that Spinal Tap's fanbase is dwindling. Once playing large arenas, the band is now relegated to smaller venues, a decline their manager Ian Faith dismisses, showcasing the disconnect between the band’s reality and their aspirations.

7

Comedic Graceland Tribute

In a comical twist, Spinal Tap attempts to pay tribute to Elvis at Graceland by performing 'Heartbreak Hotel'. However, their struggle to remember the lyrics adds humor to their misadventure, exemplifying the band's consistent blend of earnestness and hilarity.

Graceland
8

Equipment Transport Mishap

A mishap occurs during the transport of their equipment, which leads to a canceled gig in Charlotte due to insufficient advertising funds. This not only impacts their tour schedule but also adds to the mounting pressures the band faces on the road.

Charlotte
9

Embarrassing Record Signing

During a last-minute record signing event in Chicago, Spinal Tap experiences embarrassment as no fans show up. This moment exemplifies the struggles they face in regaining their popularity and highlights their declining status in the music industry.

Chicago
10

Opening for a Magician

The band's next performance takes a bizarre turn when they find themselves opening for a magician at a child's birthday party in Albuquerque. This odd gig adds to their frustrations and signifies the unexpected paths their tour has taken.

Albuquerque
11

Dramatic Stage Mishap

Backstage, tensions escalate as Derek becomes trapped in his prop pod right before a performance. This leads to a series of embarrassing incidents, illustrating the comedy inherent in their chaotic tour experiences.

12

Conflict with Management

A heated confrontation with Ian erupts after a series of tour blunders, prompting David to question Ian's management decisions. This moment reflects the increasing dissatisfaction within the band and their desire for change.

13

Final Performance in Stockton

The tour wraps up in Stockton, California, where the band struggles to create a setlist in Nigel's absence. Their performance, marked by tension and confusion, leaves little impression on the audience, encapsulating their turbulent journey.

Stockton, California
14

Nigel's Unexpected Return

Just when things seem bleak, Nigel surprises everyone by reappearing and shares that their song 'Sex Farm' has gained unexpected popularity overseas, especially in Japan. This revelation brings a flicker of hope back to the band.

15

Triumphant Finale

The band reassembles to perform 'Tonight We're Gonna Rock You Tonight' for a massive Japanese audience. Fueled by newfound enthusiasm, they wrap up the tour with cheers and renewed hope that Spinal Tap's story is far from over.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:10

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This Is Spinal Tap Summary

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This Is Spinal Tap Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in This Is Spinal Tap

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Characters, Settings & Themes in This Is Spinal Tap

More About This Is Spinal Tap

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