David Kaff, 1946 – 2025

British musician and actor (Spinal Tap) David Kaff, 79, died on July 11. The keyboardist played in the rock band Rare Bird from 1969-75 (their 1970 single “Sympathy” became a million-seller). Kaff is best known for playing Viv Savage in the 1984 spoof Spinal Tap, which was such a hit that the faux-band became real, and Kaff toured and appeared on TV with them. He left the gig after only one year, and went on to play with such bands as Mutual of Alameda’s Wild Kingdom. Kaff said of Vic Savage, “I played him very close to my heart… just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me.”