David Kaff

David Kaff (17 April 1946 – 11 July 2025) was a British musician and actor. He was a member of Rare Bird in the 1970s, credited as David Kaffinetti,^[1] before playing keyboardist Viv Savage in the film This Is Spinal Tap (1984).

David Kaff
Background information
Also known as	David Kaffinetti
Born	(1946-04-17)17 April 1946 Folkestone, Kent, England
Died	11 July 2025(2025-07-11) (aged 79)
Genres	Progressive rock
Occupations	Musician actor
Instrument	Keyboards
Formerly of	Rare Bird Spinal Tap

Life and career

Kaff was born in Folkestone, Kent on 17 April 1946.^[2] He was a founding member of the progressive rock group Rare Bird from 1969 to 1975, who were one of the first bands to sign to Charisma Records.^[3][4] They released five studio albums between 1969 and 1974. In the UK singles chart, the organ-based single "Sympathy" reached number 27 in February 1970, selling an estimated one million globally.^[3]

He was cast to play Viv Savage, the keyboardist for the fictional rock band Spinal Tap, for their mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984).^[5] The group continued as a band after the release of the film, making concert and live television appearances; Kaff (still playing Viv Savage) was involved in Spinal Tap's 1984 appearance on Saturday Night Live.^{[citation needed]} By the end of that year, Kaff had left the group, and was not involved in subsequent Spinal Tap activity.^{[citation needed]}

Kaff died on 11 July 2025, at the age of 79.^[6][2]