Spinal Tap’s David Kaff Has Died Aged 79

David Kaff, best known as Spinal Tap’s keyboardist Viv Savage, has died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 79.

The news was confirmed by his psych-rock outfit Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom in a post shared over the weekend. No cause of death has yet been given.

Kaff, born David Kaffinetti might have had the smallest role in This Is Spinal Tap, but he delivered the film’s most iconic parting shot: “Have a good time, all the time. That’s my philosophy.” That line alone turned Viv Savage into cult comedy royalty, even if Kaff didn’t stick around for the band’s later albums or tours.

Back in 1984, Spinal Tap played a handful of gigs to promote the mockumentary, including a now-legendary Saturday Night Live appearance. Kaff was there, stone-faced behind the keys, leaning into the absurdity like he belonged in the band for real. After that, he quietly stepped away from the spotlight, not returning for 1992’s Break Like the Wind or 2009’s Back from the Dead.

He also won’t appear in the upcoming Spinal Tap sequel, due out this September. Though his one-liner will likely echo through it anyway.

Before he was Viv Savage, Kaff was a legit musician. He was a founding member of Rare Bird, a British prog-rock outfit best known for their 1970 hit Sympathy. They cut five albums between ’69 and ’74, with Kaff laying down keys through the band’s shape-shifting phases. He also played with Chuck Berry on The London Chuck Berry Sessions, the same live album that gave us My Ding-a-Ling.

In the years that followed, Kaff kept playing. He co-founded Model Citizenz in Oakland and more recently formed Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom, who were still active until his death.

David Kaff didn’t say much in Spinal Tap, but what he did say landed. He played it straight while everything around him melted into chaos. The perfect satire of a band member who never really needed to shout to be heard.