Ric Parnell — who played fictional band Spinal Tap's fictional drummer Mick Shrimpton in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap — has died at 70. The news was announced by Spinal Tap's Harry Shearer, with no cause of death being initially reported.
Parnell played a pretty major comedic role in This is Spinal Tap, playing another in the band's long line of cursed drummers. At the end of the film, Shrimpton follows in the footsteps of his doomed brothers in arms and explodes on stage during a concert in Japan.
Parnell continued to appear with Spinal Tap — as Mick's brother Ric Shrimpton — after the mockumentary's release in 1984. Parnell performed on the film's soundtrack as well as the follow-up album, 1992's Break Like the Wind.
Before appearing in Spinal Tap, Parnell played in British band Atomic Rooster. He also played drums on Tony Basil's "Mickey."
See some tributes to Parnell, including Shearer's announcement, below.
Parnell played a pretty major comedic role in This is Spinal Tap, playing another in the band's long line of cursed drummers. At the end of the film, Shrimpton follows in the footsteps of his doomed brothers in arms and explodes on stage during a concert in Japan.
Parnell continued to appear with Spinal Tap — as Mick's brother Ric Shrimpton — after the mockumentary's release in 1984. Parnell performed on the film's soundtrack as well as the follow-up album, 1992's Break Like the Wind.
Before appearing in Spinal Tap, Parnell played in British band Atomic Rooster. He also played drums on Tony Basil's "Mickey."
See some tributes to Parnell, including Shearer's announcement, below.
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RIP and salut to Ric Parnell, session drummer, Atomic Rooster vet and even more legendarily, Mick Shrimpton from _This Is Spinal Tap_. This clip (and the three-second failed drum solo therein) just shows how deeply hilarious that film still is. youtube.com/watch?v=S0QdAb…
Sad news about the death at 70 of Ric Parnell, who drummed with everybody from Jeff Beck to Cher and Bette Midler to Ravi Shankar. He also made an unforgettable appearance - and dramatic disappearance - as ill-fated Mick Shrimpton in the classic movie “This is Spinal Tap”.
Ric Parnell was a great drummer. More to say tomorrow. Right now rest in peace will have to do.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 2, 2022
