“Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday,” Kaff’s bandmates announced on Facebook .
Sharing that they were “devastated” by his death, the band noted: “David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would kill you where you stand. Then he would make you smile doing it!”
Signing off their emotional message, they concluded: “RIP dear brother.”
His cause of death was not revealed.
The British rocker – real name David Kaffinetti – was a member of UK prog band Rare Bird in the 1970s before landing a small part in Rob Reiner’s musical comedy “This Is Spinal Tap”.
Kaff’s role in the ’80s mockumentary about a struggling metal band wasn’t huge, but his memorable line in the film is one of the most quoted to this day.
During the film’s credits, when asked about his life motto, his character says, “Have fun… all the time.”
The keyboardist and his fictional band from the famous documentary performed several real-life shows together after the film gained popularity. They even made an appearance on a 1984 episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
Kaff was also a session musician on Chuck Berry’s album, “The London Chuck Berry Sessions”, according to Ultimate Classic Rock .
The musician spoke highly of playing Savage in the past.
“I have a great affection for Viv,” Kaff said of his character during a 1991 appearance at USC, in which he was tasked with talking about the creation of the beloved mockumentary, by bam .
“I played him very close to my heart,” he continued, “just a little darker. If people like that character, they’re likely to like me.”
Kaff also revealed his hopes for a possible sequel to “This Is the Spinal Cord.”
“I just hope to be a part of what they do!” he shared at the time.
Sequel rumors have started swirling again in 2022, with Variety confirming earlier this year that “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” is set to hit theaters this fall after Bleecker Street acquired the U.S. rights to the follow-up film.
Reiner has hired the director, and original Christopher Guest stars Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, reprising their roles as Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, respectively.
The sequel reunites the members of “One of England’s Loudest Bands” for one final show after a 15-year hiatus.
Reiner will also return as his character Marty Dibergi, a documentary filmmaker who follows the group on tour.
While it’s unclear if Kaff has been chosen to join them in the follow-up film, music icons like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood will be making cameos.
“So happy to be working with the folks at Bleecker Street, passionate about keeping Tap’s legacy alive and thrilled to give Marty Dibergi another shot at relevance,” Reiner said in a statement in March.
“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” is scheduled to make its theatrical debut on September 12.
