Spinal Tap II: The End Continues features some pretty big musical cameos. The sequel to the comedy classic This is Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap 2 brings back the original band for a reunion show. Along the way, the filmmakers slip in some pretty high-profile cameos that help sell the band’s in-universe legacy and lend themselves to some pretty good jokes.

The first Spinal Tap famously resonated with several musicians, which might explain why the sequel was able to recruit some of the world’s most famous musical stars of the 20th century for some pretty great cameo appearances. Here are the big musicians who appear in Spinal Tap 2 and how they fit into the film’s narrative.

Garth Brooks And Trisha Yearwood Go Viral For A Spinal Tap Cover

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are the first of Spinal Tap 2‘s big music cameos, and actually end up inspiring the entire plot of the film. In-universe, Spinal Tap has been a defunct band for years. However, interest in the band is rekindled after Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood go viral for an impromptu cover of “Big Bottom.”

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are two of the world’s biggest country stars. The fact that Spinal Tap appeals to so many different kinds of people in-universe is part of the gag (especially for their over-the-top songs like “Big Bottom”). It’s still funny that an arena country star could inspire interest in a long-dormant rock band.

This also starts a trend with many of the cameos in the film where the musicians perform one of Spinal Tap’s songs from the original film. While the drummers that cameo after Brooks and Yearwood don’t get to perform any songs, “Cups and Cakes,” “(Listen to the) Flower People,” and “Stonehenge” also get new renditions.

Spinal Tap Tries To Recruit Questlove, Chad Smith, And Lars Ulrich

One of the running gags in This is Spinal Tap was the band’s habit of losing drummers at an alarming rate, in manners that ranged from mysterious gardening accidents to spontaneous combustion. This makes it extremely difficult for the band to find a drummer in the present day, with the movie quickly featuring three iconic modern drummers as potential recruits.

Questlove, Chad Smith, and Lars Ulrich play with the Roots, Red H๏τ Chili Peppers, and Metallica, respectively. Each is immensely talented and depicted as a fan of Spinal Tap or respectful of their legacy. However, it’s also clear that none of them has any interest in playing with the band, out of fear of being killed in the process.

The gag that being a drummer for Spinal Tap has become known as a musician’s curse is a pretty solid beat that builds off the first film, forcing the band to scramble for a new drummer until they meet the immensely talented (and health-conscious) Didi. It’s a solid cameo from all three, a solid punchline spread out across three performers.

Paul McCartney Jams With Spinal Tap (And Offers His Advice)

Paul McCartney, one of the Beatles and a founder of Wings, is one of the world’s most prolific musicians. His appearance in Spinal Tap 2 leans into that pedigree, with even members of Spinal Tap taken aback by his presence in the recording studio. It turns out McCartney is a fan, further cementing the band’s legacy in-universe.

McCarnety even sings “Cups and Cakes” with the band, using the opportunity to critique some of David’s ideas and bolster Nigel’s own complaints about David’s approach to the song. It’s a great cameo, highlighting McCartney’s influence and talent while also using it to feed into the plot and build up the tension between Nigel and David.

One of the better elements of McCartney’s cameo is that it allows the filmmakers to actually showcase the legendary musician and his musical chops. McCartney brings some of his natural charm to his performance of “Cups and Cakes,” little flourishes and acoustic touches making for a delightful little performance.

Elton John Joins Spinal Tap On Stage

The final major musical cameo in Spinal Tap 2 is Elton John, who gets more of an actual supporting role. Like McCartney, John is established as a long-time fan of the band who reflects on how they never met in their prime. However, he’s particularly eager to play with them, singing “(Listen to the) Flower People” before the show.

This eventually leads John to actually join them on stage at the band’s reunion performance, rising out of the stage at his piano to help perform “Stonehenge.” Unfortunately for John, this also means he’s on stage when the giant Stonehenge collapses onto the band, landing John and the Spinal Tap trio in the hospital.

It’s a good gag, and a good chance for Elton John to remind audiences that he has good comic timing. John has always been pretty memorably silly in his previous cameos in stuff like The Simpsons or the Kingsman movies. John’s appearance in Spinal Tap II is a fun little showcase for one of the 20th century’s best songwriters.