Ric Parnell
Encyclopedia
Richard "Ric" J. Parnell (born 13 August 1951, London
) is an English
rock
drummer
. Although notable for his work in the band Atomic Rooster
, he probably best known for his role as the ill-fated drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This is Spinal Tap
.
was a jazz drummer and bandleader. He has two brothers, Will and Marc, who are also drummers. His two sisters decided not to enter the music business.
In 1970 he was a member of the short-lived hard rock band Horse, who recorded one album before breaking up. Shortly after, he briefly joined the progressive rock band Atomic Rooster, leaving after just two months with the band. In April 1971 he formed his own progressive rock group, Matchstick Men, whose sole single was much more pop-oriented than the band's genre of choice. By the end of the year he had been invited to rejoin Atomic Rooster, this time staying long enough to play on the band's last two albums.
He continued to play for various other bands and artists throughout the 1970s and 1980s including Nova
and Italian-based Ibis, as well as providing the drums for the Toni Basil
hit "Mickey
" among other contributions. At one time, Steve Perry
offered him a spot in Journey
but Parnell declined as he was preoccupied with his studio band at the time Zoo Drive, a decision he later regretted.
Parnell's big break came in 1984 when he auditioned for the role of Mick Shrimpton in the cult classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. His character was one of a long line of unfortunate drummers who all perish from freak accidents, his own fate being spontaneous combustion
.
Recently, Parnell was living in Missoula, Montana
where he co-hosted an 8-midnight radio program (which is aptly titled "Spontaneous Combustion") on KDTR
Trail 103.3 FM. Parnell is an avid golfer and frequently plays golf when he is not employed playing the drums.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
. Although notable for his work in the band Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
, he probably best known for his role as the ill-fated drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap is an American 1984 rock musical mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap...
.
Career
Parnell has a long family history of musical ambition. His grandfather Russ Carr was a music hall artist and his father Jack ParnellJack Parnell
John Russell Parnell was an English bandleader and musician.-Biography:Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London....
was a jazz drummer and bandleader. He has two brothers, Will and Marc, who are also drummers. His two sisters decided not to enter the music business.
In 1970 he was a member of the short-lived hard rock band Horse, who recorded one album before breaking up. Shortly after, he briefly joined the progressive rock band Atomic Rooster, leaving after just two months with the band. In April 1971 he formed his own progressive rock group, Matchstick Men, whose sole single was much more pop-oriented than the band's genre of choice. By the end of the year he had been invited to rejoin Atomic Rooster, this time staying long enough to play on the band's last two albums.
He continued to play for various other bands and artists throughout the 1970s and 1980s including Nova
Nova (Italian band)
Nova was an Italian progressive rock/jazz fusion band that was formed in 1975 from members of the bands Osanna and Cervello. Based in London for most of their career, they released four albums that are influenced by the 1970s jazz fusion styles of bands such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report...
and Italian-based Ibis, as well as providing the drums for the Toni Basil
Toni Basil
Antonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
hit "Mickey
Mickey (song)
"Mickey" is a 1982 U.S. new wave song recorded by singer and choreographer Toni Basil. Written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn as "Kitty", it was first recorded by UK popular music group Racey during 1979...
" among other contributions. At one time, Steve Perry
Steve Perry (musician)
Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1977–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful solo career throughout the late 1980s and early '90s.Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music...
offered him a spot in Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
but Parnell declined as he was preoccupied with his studio band at the time Zoo Drive, a decision he later regretted.
Parnell's big break came in 1984 when he auditioned for the role of Mick Shrimpton in the cult classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. His character was one of a long line of unfortunate drummers who all perish from freak accidents, his own fate being spontaneous combustion
Spontaneous combustion
Spontaneous combustion is the self-ignition of a mass, for example, a pile of oily rags. Allegedly, humans can also ignite and burn without an obvious cause; this phenomenon is known as spontaneous human combustion....
.
"The first question they asked was, 'What do you think about a movie that's going to tear your career apart?' I said, 'You should have made this movie about 10 years ago.'
They then asked me what other bands I'd been in, and I said, 'Well, I was in a band called Atomic Rooster.' They looked at each other and said, 'Yep, that's it, you're our man.' "
Recently, Parnell was living in Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
where he co-hosted an 8-midnight radio program (which is aptly titled "Spontaneous Combustion") on KDTR
KDTR
KDTR is a commercial radio station licensed to Florence, Montana, and serving the Missoula, Montana area, owned by Spanish Peaks Broadcasting. KDTR airs a Adult Album Alternative music format.-External links:*...
Trail 103.3 FM. Parnell is an avid golfer and frequently plays golf when he is not employed playing the drums.
Discography
- Atomic RoosterAtomic RoosterAtomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
- Made in EnglandMade in England (Atomic Rooster album)Made in England is the fourth album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. Although previously known for generally having a progressive rock style, this album saw the band moving in more of a funk/soul direction, largely influenced by new singer Chris Farlowe...
(1972), Nice 'n' GreasyNice 'n' GreasyNice 'n' Greasy is the fifth studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.In the US, the record was issued on Elektra in a different sleeve to most territories and retitled Atomic Rooster IV, as their first album, Atomic Roooster, failed to secure a US release. The US album also had a somewhat...
(1973) - NovaNova (Italian band)Nova was an Italian progressive rock/jazz fusion band that was formed in 1975 from members of the bands Osanna and Cervello. Based in London for most of their career, they released four albums that are influenced by the 1970s jazz fusion styles of bands such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report...
- Wings of LoveWings of Love (Nova album)Wings of Love is the third album by the Italian progressive rock/jazz fusion band Nova. It was released on the Arista label in 1977.The album features a mixture of instrumentals and songs, with lead vocals shared between Corrado Rustici and Barry Johnson...
(1977), Sun City (1978) - Michael Des BarresMichael Des BarresLord Michael Philip Des Barres is a British actor and rock singer. He is known for playing the recurring role of Murdoc on the television show MacGyver and for replacing the late Robert Palmer in the band Power Station, fronting the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert...
- I'm Only Human (1980) - Toni BasilToni BasilAntonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
- Word of MouthWord of Mouth (Toni Basil album)Word of Mouth is Toni Basil's debut album. It was released in 1982. It was certified Gold by RIAA. It featured the #1 worldwide hit "Mickey". The album also contains 3 covers of songs by the band Devo who also performed on the songs...
(1982) - Spinal TapSpinal Tap (band)Spinal Tap is a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on a failed 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called "The T.V. Show", starring Rob Reiner...
- This Is Spinal TapThis Is Spinal Tap (album)This Is Spinal Tap was the soundtrack to the film This Is Spinal Tap, released in 1984. It was re-released in 2000 with lyrics and two versions of "Christmas with the Devil" as bonus tracks...
(1984), Break Like the WindBreak Like the WindBreak Like the Wind is an album by the semi-fictional band Spinal Tap. The title, from the album's title track, is a double entendre that combines and confuses the idiom "make like the wind [and blow]" with "break[ing] wind" , and samples the classical guitar piece Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo...
(1992)
Filmography
- This Is Spinal TapThis Is Spinal TapThis Is Spinal Tap is an American 1984 rock musical mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap...
(1984) - as Mick Shrimpton - The Devil's Due at Midnight (2004)