Michael McKean and his co-stars from the 1984 cult classic comedy "rockumentary" This Is Spinal Tap will live forever as the iconic (fictional) rock band fallen on hard times, Spinal Tap.
The actor, writer, director, comedian and musician was asked about the film on a recent experience on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
"It was a fun gig," recalls McKean. "The idea of not writing a screenplay, saying, 'Let's make this up as we go along."
McKean says he and his Spinal Tap co-creators -- Christopher Guest, Rob Reiner and Harry Shearer -- were initially offered some money to write a screenplay. But they turned it down.
"We made a demo version of what we wanted to do," McKean says. "We made a 20-minute version with our own bucks, and kind of hawked that around and eventually we landed a sale."
They would go on to release the film to a lukewarm reception. Mass audiences didn't really understand the movie at first.
In the ensuing years, This Is Spinal Tap made its way around rock and comedy circles. Eventually the niche appeal turned the film into a huge success and Spinal Tap began performing live around the world.
The phrase "Spinal Tap moment" became ubiquitous to describe a performer's embarrassing moment.
McKean also talks to Colbert about his music career outside of Tap and his new show, Better Call Saul.
Watch the full segment above!
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