David Kaff, the esteemed musician and actor renowned for his iconic depiction in the cult-classic film "This is Spinal Tap," has passed away tragically at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate. Immortalized through his portrayal of keyboardist Viv Savage in Rob Reiner's 1984 comedy-music masterpiece, Kaff peacefully departed this world on Friday, July 11th.
On Sunday, July 13th, his band, Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom, issued a heartfelt tribute acknowledging the loss of their beloved bandmate. "Our brother David Kaffinetti, peacefully departed in his sleep yesterday," they penned in a poignant Facebook post. "We are utterly shattered by this heart-wrenching event."
The San Francisco Bay Area-based psychedelic hard rock ensemble reminisced about Kaff in an emotional outpouring, "David was always armed with a kind word and a sharp wit that could bring you to your knees laughing. And amidst the mirth, he'd make sure to leave you with a smile etched on your face!" They concluded their message with a poignant, "Rest In Peace, dear brother," accompanied by a picture of the five bandmates, their bond eternally captured.
Following the film's release, Kaff continued to enchant audiences as the keyboardist of the fictional band Spinal Tap. His unforgettable performance as Savage during the band's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in 1984 further cemented his legacy.
In the initial year after the film's debut, the band kept performing together. However, by the end of that year, Kaff bid farewell to the fictional ensemble, no longer participating in any subsequent promotional endeavors for Spinal Tap, leaving a void that could never be filled.
