This Book Goes to 11!A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal TapIs on the Way

Mar. 15, 2025

‘A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap’ cover; Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest in ‘This Is Spinal Tap.Photo:Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster; Getty

Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster; Getty

Just in case thesequelmovie isn’t enough,This Is Spinal Tapfans are also being treated to a behind-the-scenes book this year!

It’s been over 40 years since the cult classic first hit screens, and directorRob Reiner— along with hisSpinal Tapcowriters and costarsChristopher Guest,Michael McKeanandHarry Shearer— is telling the official (and firsthand!) story behind the 1984 mockumentary in written form.

AFine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tapwill hit shelves in September 2025, timed to the release of sequelSpinal Tap II: The End Continues, publisher Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, announced on Wednesday, March 12.

Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean as the members of Spinal Tap.Bonnie Schiffman/Getty Images

Bonnie Schiffman/Getty Images

“In 1984, whenThis Is Spinal Tapwas first released, no one could have imagined that it would become a cultural institution, as quotable asThe Godfather(and arguably funnier) and worthy of inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry,” per the publisher.

“Initially,” Gallery Books said, “every major studio turned it down. No one believed that Meathead fromAll in the Family[Reiner] had a future as a movie director. No one had ever heard of a mockumentary, much less, if you will, a rockumentary.”

‘A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap’ cover.Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

So with no script (the dialogue was entirely improvised) to show, Reiner, Guest, McKean, and Shearer pushed onward, recruiting their pals for the film and composing Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom” and “Stonehenge” — now-classics for the fictional British band.

“With wit and candor, without wigs and fake English accents, the authors [ofA Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever] reveal the origins of their friendships, their creative process and their amazement in the film’s enduring afterlife,” Gallery Books said — just in time for the original film’s highly anticipated sequel.

And the book not only features insight from the men who brought Spinal Tap to life on-screen, but also some contributions from the rock legends who inspired their portrayal.

SlashofGuns N’ Roses, Rob Halford of Judas Priest,Don Henleyofthe Eagles, andTalking Headsmembers Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth all make appearances, reflecting on how the 1984 film depicted the rockstar lifestyle — and sharing some of their own “Spinal Tap moments.”

Rob Reiner.Neilson Barnard/Getty

Neilson Barnard/Getty

A Fine Line Between Stupid and Cleverwill also feature a “B-side,” in which the foursome behind the book will tap (pun intended) back into their onscreen counterparts, Gallery Books promises.

“When you finish reading it, and flip the book over,” the publishers says, “you’ll findSmell the Book: The Oral History of Spinal Tap, in which Tap’s Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls recount their triumphs and travails to their dogged and somewhat weary interlocutor, director Marty DiBergi."

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AFine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tapwill be out September 2025, and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com