In a move as audacious as turning an amp to 11, a new all‑star tribute album to Spinal Tap has been unveiled, and it’s not just a celebration of mock rock’s greatest hits. The album, titled The Majesty of Rock: A Spinal Tap Tribute, features contributions from members of Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Tool, The Go-Go’s, Mastodon, System of a Down, and many others, and all proceeds will benefit the Teen Cancer America charity.
From Parody To Purpose
Spinal Tap started as a tongue-in-cheek ode to the outrageous excesses of hard rock, but its songs have earned genuine affection and even cult status over the years. The new tribute album leverages that love, inviting musicians across generations to reinterpret tracks from the Spinal Tap catalog while raising funds for a cause with serious real-world impact.
The project is officially sanctioned and coincides with the release of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Star-Studded Lineup & Creative Reimaginings
The roster reads like a rock fan’s dream:
- Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed appears in a version of “Sex Farm,” under the fictitious band name Jason Achilles.
- A supergroup dubbed S.S.R.J.C.T. delivers a version of “Big Bottom,” combining bass powerhouses Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Scott Reeder (ex-Kyuss), Justin Chancellor (Tool), plus Abby Travis (The Go-Go’s) and Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters) on keys, and Kelli Scott (Failure) on drums.
- John Dolmayan (System of a Down) joins a cover of “(Listen to the) Flower People” under the moniker Antenna the End.
- Other contributors include members of Queens of the Stone Age, Foreigner, Soul Asylum, Vixen, The Handsome Family, Kyuss, The Go-Go’s, and more.
- Even the Play It Back Players, a band composed of cancer patients and professional musicians, has a presence on the record, lending authenticity and heart to the cause.
Many contributors adopted fictitious band names for the project, honoring the tongue-in-cheek spirit of Spinal Tap.
Format, Pricing & Availability
- The digital album comprises 32 tracks drawn from the Spinal Tap catalog, including classics such as “Big Bottom,” “Sex Farm,” “Hell Hole,” and “(Listen to the) Flower People.”
- It is being sold in a limited run: only 5,000 digital copies are available.
- The minimum donation to obtain a copy is $19.84, a clever nod to the release year of This Is Spinal Tap (1984).
- The album is available exclusively through the Teen Cancer America website.
Impact & Mission: Why Teen Cancer America?
Teen Cancer America (TCA) was co-founded by members of The Who, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, to address the unique needs of adolescents and young adults living with cancer.
The organization funds dedicated spaces, services, and programs tailored to this age group, helping support social, emotional, and medical needs that often fall through the cracks of traditional cancer care.
Shannon Sullivan, the executive director of TCA, summed up the spirit:
“The spirit of Spinal Tap has always been about turning it up to 11, and that’s exactly what we aim to do for young people with cancer.”
Every dollar raised through album downloads will directly support TCA’s mission, from building patient lounges to funding patient‑support programs across hospitals in the U.S.
Why This Project Matters
- Bridging parody and passion. While Spinal Tap began as satire, this tribute transforms songs once meant for laughs into a force for real-world good.
- Unifying rock generations. From ’80s and ’90s legends to contemporary rock icons, the lineup underscores how Spinal Tap continues to inspire.
- Raising awareness. The limited edition and the catchy “turn it up” messaging help draw wider attention to the needs of teen and young adult cancer patients.
- Authenticity & heart. With contributions not only from big names but also from cancer patients via Play It Back Players, the project carries emotional weight beyond novelty.
Final Thoughts
The Majesty of Rock is more than a tribute, it’s a testament to how music and community can cross over from parody into purpose. In enlisting iconic rock voices to carry the torch for Spinal Tap’s satirical legacy, the project amplifies both its cultural impact and its impact on people’s lives.
For fans of classic rock, for supporters of music with meaning, and for anyone who wants to help make a difference, this album offers a rare opportunity to rock out and reach out.
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