SPINAL TAP drummer RIC PARNELL died over the weekend. He was 70 years old. No cause of death was given, but I’m guessing it was NOT spontaneous combustion.
In the original 1984 movie “This Is Spinal Tap”, Parnell played “Mick Shrimpton”, the latest in a long line of drummers who died in . . . let’s just say UNCONVENTIONAL ways . . .
Like choking on someone else’s vomit, or a “bizarre gardening accident.”
At the end of the movie, Mick SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS, just like one of his predecessors. But in real life, Ric continued to record and tour with Spinal Tap, after assuming the identity of Mick’s BROTHER, Ric Shrimpton.
Before ‘Tap, he played in other bands, and was the drummer on TONI BASIL’s 1982 classic “Mickey”. (Variety)
