2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic rock movie “This is Spinal Tap.” And Spinal Tap is celebrating this in a big way.

HISTORY:

March 2 1984

-         “This is Spinal Tap,” starring Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls, is released (Embassy Films) followed by national tour culminating in appearance at Bombershoot Festival (Seattle).

-         Soundtrack release followed (Polydor Records). The film was released on VHS in October 1984.

1992

-         Break Like the Wind (MCA) - First studio album released, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Single “Bitch School.”

-         Auditions for new drummer at LA Coliseum were attended by hundreds of prospects including Stephen Perkins/Jane’s Addiction, Gina Schock/Go-Go’s, and Mick Fleetwood/Fleetwood Mac.

-         Launched three week US tour that culminated in two nights at Royal Albert Hall (filmed for subsequent TV special and VHS release).

-         In response to the ‘ban the long-form compact disc box package’, TAP convinces MCA Records to release LP in a special ‘extra-long box.’

1994

-         “The Return of Spinal Tap” aired on NBC TV on New Year’s Eve, and was then released on Home Video (MPI) - included live material from 1992 concert performances at Royal Albert Hall (UK). Later released on laserdisc (Criterion).

1996

-         Spinal Tap records a new song “Goat Boy” for a national I.B.M.  commercial to promote information technology at the 1996 Olympic games.

-         According to the New York Times, Tap “decided to hire I.B.M. to help with their “third comeback tour,” the band said because of complicated logistics that include “nutritionists, au pairs, personal trainers, not to mention the erupting volcano apparatus.”

2000

-         In the early days of Napster, Tap created website “Tapster.com”

-         New track “Back from the Dead” made available for download.

-         MGM Home Entertainment re-released “This is Spinal Tap” in select theaters in conjunction with new DVD version of “This is Spinal Tap: Special Edition” followed by USA concert tour.

-         Appeared on “VH1 The List” and “The Late Show”.

-         Sideshow Toys released limited edition 12” collectible action figures of Spinal Tap - Sold Out instantly.

-         Bloomsbury UK published “The Official Spinal Tap Compendium.”

-         VH1 aired “Where are They Now?” episode.

-         The American Film Institute rated “This is Spinal Tap” #29 one of the 100 funniest American films during a three-hour special TV event.

-         “Back from the Dead” USA sold-out tour - included The Greek Theater, Carnegie Hall, House of Blues (LV), Warfield (SF), Humphery’s (San Diego), Sun Theater (Anaheim), Beacon Theatre (NYC) and Montreal Comedy Festival.

2002

-         The Library of Congress adds film to National Film Registry’s   list of 25 American cinematic works selected for historical preservation - called a ‘culturally significant’ work.

-         The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary included the entry: “Up to eleven: up to maximum volume,” a reference to Nigel’s amp that had controls that went beyond the usual maximum setting of 10.

-         And in May 2003, Entertainment Weekly’s Top 50 Cult Movies lists film as the #1 Cult Movie.

2004

-         Spinal Tap opened for Tenacious D at LA’s House of Blues for charity.

2005

-         Blender Magazine names “This is Spinal Tap” #1 of the 100 Greatest Rock and Roll Movies of all time.

-         Mojo Magazine (UK) names “This is Spinal Tap” the greatest Rock n’ Roll movie of all time by readers of the magazine.

-         Premiere Magazine names “This is Spinal Tap” one of the 50 greatest comedies of all time.

2006

-         Nigel Tufnel appeared in Volkswagen TV commercial highlighting free, exclusive First Act guitar with the purchase of qualifying automobiles. (Director: Christopher Guest)

-         “Christmas with the Devil” - song appeared in BBC 1 TV  Holiday promo spots.

-         Netflix, the largest DVD-by-mail rental company ranks film in the Top 1% of all Netflix titles in terms of total rentals to-date !!!!

2007

-         “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” - song appeared in Harmonix and Red Octane’s best selling video game - Guitar Hero II. Also featured on Hallmark musical greeting card.

-         “Gimme Some Money” - song used in American Express Small Business commercials in national TV/Radio campaign.

-         Microsoft.com featured a promo for Windows Media Player 11 that said to “Turn it up to 11” and pictured the WMP 11 play button surrounded by numbers and tick marks, making it into a dial that ends at 11.

-         Marty Di Bergi directed a new 14 minute film, “Spinal Tap on Global Warming,” released exclusively on the Live Earth website, starring Tufnel, St. Hubbins and Smalls.  According to Di Bergi, Live Earth was the band’s “26th reunion in 25 years.”

-         Tap performed at Live Earth, a global climate change awareness event at Wembley Stadium (London).  Their set included “Big Bottom,” “Stonehenge” and a new song written for the occasion “Warmer than Hell.”

-         On “Big Bottom,” almost every bass guitarist in attendance joined Spinal Tap onstage including Nate Mendel/Foo Fighters, Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield/Metallica, Gordon Moakes/Bloc Party, Adam Yauch/MCA/Beastie Boys, among others.

-         While no strangers to charity events - the band headlined for the “Save the Ferret Campaign” and the “High Instep Foundation” - playing Live Earth represented Spinal Tap’s deep commitment to preventing the planet from spontaneously combusting, a fate often reserved for the band’s drummers.  “Warmer than Hell” is dedicated to this cause.