This Goes To 11: Spinal Tap Movie Trivia

Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls

Derek Smalls was the glue that held Spinal Tap together. Smalls, the group’s bassist, says in the film that St. Hubbins and Tufnel are “distinct types of visionaries … like fire and ice,” and that his own role was to stay “in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water.”

Many believe that Smalls’ character was based off Lemmy from Motörhead, who shared a similar appearance and style.

One of Smalls’ fan-favorite quotes is “That’s not to say I haven’t had my visionary moments. I’ve taken acid seventy… five, seventy-six times.” Perhaps that’s where he came up with the concept for “Jazz Odyssey.”