If you don’t know by now, Spinal Tap was a fictional English heavy metal band that was first seen on a 1979 ABC special created by Rob Reiner, called The T.V. Show. The band consisted of Michael McKean, as the lead singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins; Christopher Guest, as guitarist Nigel Tufnel; and Harry Shearer, as bassist Derek Smalls. At the time, Loudon Wainwright was on keyboards, and the legendary Russ Kunkel played drums.

Five years, and at least three deceased drummers later, Spinal Tap became the subject of a documentary - an if you will, “rockumentary”- directed by Reiner, who as filmmaker Marty DiBergi introduced Spinal Tap as England’s loudest and most punctual band. DiBergi then went on to capture on film what turned out to be a disaster-filled U.S. tour.

Over the years, Spinal Tap wormed its way into the real world of hard rock. They’ve broken up, and reunited, at least 14 times. But in between those break-ups, they managed to do several tours, playing such storied venues as Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury, and the Royal Albert and Carnegie Halls. Then, after not speaking to each other for the last 15 years, they came together for “one final concert,” which again, has been captured by Marty DiBergi in his film called “The End Continues.” A biography of the band called “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever is also being published by Simon and Schuster.

This Is Spinal Tap was released to critical acclaim in 1984 and went on to become a cult classic. In 2002, it was deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress, and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

"This Is Spinal Tap" has been credited with launching the mockumentary genre. The film shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.

Its upcoming sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, directed by Rob Reiner with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer reprising their iconic roles as the legendary heavy metal band Spinal Tap. Reiner returns as documentarian Martin “Marty” DiBergi, with cameos from music legends Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Also appearing will be Paul Shaffer, Fran Drescher, Don Lake, John Michael Higgins, Nina Conti, Griffin Matthews, Kerry Godliman, and Chris Addison.

Conceived by Guest, McKean, Reiner, and Shearer, Spinal Tap II follows England’s loudest and most punctual band, as they reunite after a 15-year hiatus for one final concert. The film is produced by Rob Reiner, Michele Reiner and Matthew George and financed under the Castle Rock Entertainment banner. Derrick J. Rossi PhD,Chad Oakes & Michael Frislev Hernan Narea, Jonathan Fuhrman, and Christopher H. Warner executive produced the film.

Bleecker Street is planning a nationwide U.S. theatrical release of a newly-restored edition of This Is Spinal Tap this Summer, and the film subsequently will be made widely available on digital and streaming platforms for the first time in years, in anticipation of the sequel’s wide theatrical release on September 12.