Ric was best known as the band’s drummer who suffered the comical fate of exploding near the end of the movie. It was the conclusion to a long-running gag about Spinal Tap having the worst luck with drummers constantly dying. When the band re-united and toured in 1992, Ric returned as Mick’s identical twin Ric Shrimpton.
Outside the mock band, he was the real deal. Firstly, his dad was a famous Jazz drummer and led the actual musicians for The Muppet Show so drumming was in his DNA. Throughout his career he played in numerous acts the ones listed in The Guardian were ones I’ve never heard of and the one called Stars is probably not the Canadian band I’m thinking of. He will be remembered mostly for being the drummer on Toni Basil’s famous hit “Mickey.” Ric definitely nailed the marching-band vibe Toni was looking for and reflected in her video.
Thanks for everything Ric! You were the last remaining member of Spinal Tap I wanted to meet and alas, I did’t get to. Still, I appreciate everything you did. Your drumming gave Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest more legitimacy to the sound they were aiming for and probably helped fool the crowds that were unaware they were cheering on a fake rock act.