David Kaffinetti Has A Good Time All The Time! Spinal Tap's Keyboardist Talks About His Real-Life Rock 'N' Roll Career.

Originally published in BAM (January 1991)
By Devorah Ostrov

Publicity photo for This Is Spinal Tap
with David Kaffinetti top right

Whenever David Kaffinetti changes his address, he has to submit an additional document to the post office for "Viv Savage" — the fictitious heavy metal keyboardist he portrayed in the 1984 film, This Is Spinal Tap.

An accomplished musician in real life, Kaffinetti (credited as David Kaff in the mockumentary) laughs good-naturedly while emphasizing, "There really are people who write to me and put Viv Savage on the envelope!"

David Kaffinetti

Invited recently to speak to the audio-engineering students at USC on the making of Spinal Tap, he entered wearing Savage's trademark doctor's smock and, staying in character, bellowed, "Hello, this is Viv Savage! You folks are so lucky to be here!" Afterwards, he signed dozens of autographs — all as Savage.

"I have a great affection for Viv," says Kaffinetti of his affable alter ego whose philosophy is: "Have a good time...all the time."

Instead of being bothered by Savage's popularity, Kaffinetti revels in it. "I played him very close to my heart," he notes, "just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me."

Born in the port town of Folkestone, Kent (in south-east England), Kaffinetti began practicing classical piano when he was 5 years old. At 10, he discovered rock 'n' roll in the form of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Bill Haley. He never turned back.

Rare Bird featuring Kaffinetti (right)

Kaffinetti first played keyboards professionally with Rare Bird, an early progressive rock outfit, which influenced bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

In 1975, after recording five albums with Rare Bird, he joined forces with Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland and Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley to form the short-lived "supergroup" Natural Gas.

My Spinal Tap 1984 World
Tour backstage pass

Unfortunately, although Natural Gas provided his meal-ticket to California, he was fired after completing the demo tapes that secured them a record deal.

These days, Kaffinetti can be found playing with the Oakland-based Model Citizenz, a band he describes as a cross between Journey and Living Colour!

"It's a wild combination," he agrees. "We definitely have that kind of gritty rock sound, but there's also a very commercial side to it."

Consisting of vocalist Bruce Jay Paul, guitarist Don Ervin, bassist Brian Abbott, drummer Doug Freedman and Kaffinetti on keyboards, Model Citizenz has been playing Bay Area clubs for just over a year.

And not long ago, they recorded a four-song demo tape at San Francisco's Secret Studios. Michael Ingram, Kaffinetti's songwriting partner for the past fifteen years, engineered the sessions.

"Lost (Without You)," a beautiful ballad written by Kaffinetti, Ingram, and Paul is included on the demo tape. While "Gone Too Far," a Kaffinetti/Ingram collaboration (with ex-Billy Satellite bassist Ira Walker) has been put forward for Eddie Money's upcoming LP.

David Kaffinetti as Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap

As to whether there'll be a sequel to Spinal Tap, Kaffinetti will only say that the three principals involved with the original — Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer — are "talking about it." However, he hints that it could entail filming a live concert in England, as well as incorporating segments cut from the first film.

He adds, "I just hope I'm a part of whatever they do!"