Look To The Stars News: Harry Shearer

Spinal Tap Help Hospitals and Classrooms Go To 11

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Legendary semi-fictional rockers Spinal Tap have recently been supporting a non-profit in Los Angeles that is bringing music tuition to under-served children in the area.

Working with local schools and hospitals, the Hollywood Rock Academy Foundation teaches children who would otherwise not have access to music instruction how to read music, and how to write, record and perform their own original music.

Comic actors Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer have performed in Spinal Tap since inventing the band (“one of England’s loudest bands”) for a 1978 TV comedy special, and the band gave a trademark tongue-in-cheek heavy metal performance at a fundraiser for the Foundation in mid-October.

What Book Got The Stars Hooked?

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Before they were famous, they were reading under the covers with flashlights like the rest of us, and now, stars are sharing their love of reading with us through the What Got You Hooked? campaign.

What Book Got You Hooked is an initiative of First Book, a charity whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The online campaign highlights the importance of books in the lives of children – especially for those in need.

From now through September 15, visitors to the First Book Web site are asked to share their memory of the first book that made reading fun, then help get more children hooked by voting for the state to receive a special donation of 50,000 new books for children in need. Oklahoma was last year’s campaign winner with over 34,000 votes in its favor. Visitors are also invited to make a $10 donation, to help provide four brand new books for a child in need.

So far, the campaign has generated celebrity support from an eclectic mix of stars including Stephen Colbert, Emma Thompson, Edward Norton, Scarlett Johansson, David Duchovny, Neil Patrick Harris, John Krasinski, Rebecca Romijn, Barry Manilow, Ira Glass, John Hodgman, Bow Wow, Patti LaBelle, and many more. Each celebrity has given the charity information on what their favorite books were when they were younger, and their choices can be found at the organization’s website.

The choice was clear for John Hodgman, the author and humorist best known for his personification of PC in the popular “Get a Mac” advertising campaign: Tintin. “I don’t remember the moment I learned to read, but I do remember the moment Tintin’s captions – always in cursive, which might as well have been hieroglyphics to me – suddenly became clear to me,” Mr. Hodgman explains. “It’s the first time I remember a book actually, physically altering my brain. Though, I am glad to say, not the last.”

First Book was founded in 1992. The First Book model was developed to leverage the work of local heroes who reach children through existing literacy programs in a variety of settings, such as Head Start centers, libraries, soup kitchens, churches, housing projects, and afterschool initiatives. Working through this vast network of organizations, First Book plays a critical role in transforming the quality of preschool and after-school programs nationwide.

To find out more about First Book, or to donate books, visit www.firstbook.org.

Live Earth Offers An Evening With Spinal Tap

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:44:28 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A dinner with a difference is for sale on Ebay. The organisers of Live Earth are auctioning a special meal with members of rock group Spinal Tap, as part of their lead-up to the Live Earth concerts on July 7.

The spoof heavy metal band has reformed to perform their new single, “Warmer Than Hell”, at the Live Earth event in London, and one lucky bidder and their guest will have the chance to accompany band members Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins, and Derek Smalls (the alter egos of comedians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer) to an evening of culinary delights, fine wine… and interesting conversation.

Also attending the dinner will be film director Rob Reiner, creator of the 1984 “mockumentary” This Is Spinal Tap.
“They’re not that environmentally conscious,” joked Reiner about the band. “But they’ve heard of global warming. Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing, and if he took his jacket off it would be cooler.”

Bidding for the once in a lifetime dining extravaganza started at $2000, and is expected to eventually sell for over $5000. Proceeds from the auction will support the Alliance For Climate Protection, who hope to auction off other Live Earth memorabilia after the concerts. They have already confirmed that Derek Small’s Spinal Tap bass guitar will be up for sale on Ebay on July 12.

The Live Earth concert is a big step for the band, who are not used to performing at “real” charity gigs. In the past, Spinal Tap has been linked to fictitious organizations such as “Save The Ferret”, whose mission is to provide Ceaser salads to underprivileged ferrets, and “On Your Toes”, a foundation for those who suffer from misshapen feet.

Also as part of the Live Earth events, Rob Reiner has directed a new short film chronicling the trials of reuniting Spinal Tap for the first time since 2001’s “Back From The Dead” tour. The film shows the band rehearsing for the upcoming concert, and explains what the band members have been doing since their bitter breakup. It reveals that Nigel has been raising miniature horses to race, but cannot find jockeys small enough to ride them, David is now a hip hop producer who also runs a colonic clinic, and Derek is in rehab for internet addiction.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and is being shown in connection with various Live Earth events. It can also be viewed on the Live Earth website.

The Spinal Tap dinner auction runs until July 9, and can be viewed at www.ebay.com/liveearth.

Spinal Tap Reunite for Live Earth

Fri, 04 May 2007 21:33:04 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Spinal Tap will reunite onstage this July at the Live Earth event in Wembley Stadium, London.

The legendary spoof heavy metal band, led by comedians Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean, gained a following through their ‘mockumentary’ This is Spinal Tap, and have teamed up once again with director Rob Reiner to support the music extravaganza by creating a Live Earth-related short film.

The short film features characters Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls talking about their “charity” work, such as raising funds to help underprivileged ferrets, as well as updating fans on the career paths the musicians have taken.

To view the film online, learn more about the Live Earth or purchase concert tickets, visit the Live Earth website.

Look To The Stars News: Harry Shearer

Spinal Tap Help Hospitals and Classrooms Go To 11

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What Book Got The Stars Hooked?

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Live Earth Offers An Evening With Spinal Tap

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