Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest)’s Timeline and Summary
- After rocking out for a bit, Nigel sits down with the other members of the band, and chats one-on-three with Marty DiBergi, who is filming a documentary about Spinal Tap. Ken Burns he is not.
- Nigel and his bandmates kick off their latest tour at an Opening Night party, where he, David and Derek are introduced to some industry bigwigs. Nigel neglects to wear a tie.
- Things go south at a recording industry convention in Atlanta, when there is controversy over the band's latest album cover. Nigel thinks it's perfectly fine to show a disrobed woman with a glove being shoved into her face. No one ever accused rock musicians of boarding the feminism train early.
- Nigel is disheartened when, at one of their stops, a rival rocker gets more attention than Spinal Tap. He tries not to show it, but Nigel wears his heart on, well, on where his sleeves should be.
- David informs Nigel that his girlfriend, Jeanine, is going to be joining them in Milwaukee. Nigel does the opposite of jump up and down for joy, whatever that is.
- A failed autograph session at a Chicago record store continues to sour the tour experience for Nigel. He can tell the band's glory days are behind it, even if he doesn't want to admit it.
- The band, along with Ian and Jeanine, discuss their issues over dinner at a restaurant. Nigel scoffs at Jeanine's ideas to revive the group's popularity, instead suggesting that they bring back an old classic. Unfortunately, it's neither not that "old" nor "classic."
- Tap's next performance is a huge bust, and it generates a big fight, resulting in Ian's bandonment (that's what it's called when you abandon a band, right?) and Jeanine's supplanting of his position. Nigel sits silently by, but his displeasure is clear.
- Nigel and David get into a shouting match at a band rehearsal. If they're "closer than brothers," it seems their fists are about to be even closer than that.
- In the middle of a gig at an Air Force Base, Nigel finally cracks and walks off stage, quitting the band. Without even stopping to pick up his check. Now that's hardcore.
- After being absent for much of the last leg of Tap's tour, Nigel surprises everyone by showing up unannounced at their final show. He comes to them under the pretense of conveying information from their old manager, but once David invites him onstage and he falls back into his old familiar routine of rocking out with his tongue out, it's obvious that being a part of this band is simply in his blood. Whatever color it is.