Ric Parnell is now joining the likes of Peter James Bond, John “Stumpy” Pepys, and Eric “Stumpy Joe” Childs. The article doesn’t say the cause of death but I assume it was a bizarre accident.
And also because why not, here is Spın̈al Tap’s song Majesty of Rock which is not only a silly bit with goofy lyrics but also a sincere acknowledgement of the rock and roll greats who came before them.
We can only hope that the police will try to dust for vomit.
You can’t “dust for vomit”.
Am I wrong to point out that Mick died of spontaneous human explosion at the end of the film, leaving nothing but a stain, in Japan, and was replaced by Joe “Mama” Besser? I am?
Yes, he died and left like a little green stain or something. Joe “Mama” Besser sounds familiar.
Yes, Mick spontaneously combusted and was replaced at the end of the film. For the 92 album Break Like the Wind Mick’s identical twin brother Ric played drums.
Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It’s just not widely reported.
(I completely forgot that Ed Begley Jr. was the Tap’s first drummer until I started at looking at videos to get the quote right.)
Best leave it–unsolved really.
I should have figured that the curse on Tap drummers would not have abated, and many more would succumb in the next 40 (!) years. Hell, they even could have changed their name again.
As for the deceased Ric, I always thought he was an actor. He was really a rock drummer. He did pretty good in the movie.
I love this:
While living in Missoula, Montana, Parnell co-hosted an 8-midnight radio program, Spontaneous Combustion ,
Well, I did say try. And let’s be honest, Spinal Tap is almost 40 years old now and it is possible that advances in forensic science will now allow vomit to be dusted for. 
Per “Forensic Files”, you can’t dust for vomit - by which I mean that it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to get DNA from, ahem, free-standing stomach contents. The stomach acid destroys it.
But what if you have really strong DNA?
Like, really powerful.
Well, he lived a long life* so his family can’t be too sad.
*Relatively speaking.
It really puts perspective on things though, doesn’t it?
“Too much fucking perspective…”
MtM
One of my favorite lines in the movie. I love the idea of having too much perspective. That sort of absurd insight epitomizes the humor of Spinal Tap.