Metal Anarchy

Ric Parnell has sadly passed away at the age of 70. The musician played Spinal Tap drummer Mick Shrimpton in the 1984 mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” and later took on the role of his “brother” Ric Shrimpton after Mick “died” of spontaneous combustion. Parnell also performed in Atomic Rooster in the early 1970s.

Radio Birdman’s Deniz Tek revealed the sad news with the following statement:

“Ric Parnell died early this morning.

From day one, meeting him, I found him to be engaging, warm, and delightfully funny. We hit it off as pals immediately. He had a cheerful spirit that made you feel good, just being around him.

Ric’s amazing history in the music world is well known. I had the great good fortune to work with Ric on three albums. Studio time was casual, fun, and scattered with stories and humor. Ric never actually prepared for a session, but would come up with the beat and the arrangement on the spot. He would say “How does this next song go?” I’d play it to him on a guitar, and he’d think about it for a minute. Then he would say “Right! Got something.” Then he would nail it in one or two takes, and it was as perfect as it gets.

Ric was one of a kind. He lives on in his music, and in our hearts.”