Josh Groban Reflects on Working with Late Director Rob Reiner on Spinal Tap II

The singer shared the impact the legendary filmmaker had on him ahead of the Oscars performance.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:52pm

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In an interview on the Oscars red carpet, singer Josh Groban opened up about his experience working with the late director Rob Reiner on the upcoming Spinal Tap II movie. Groban recalled the joy of collaborating with Reiner and the iconic Spinal Tap band members, calling it a "tremendous learning experience." Though the film does not yet have a release date following Reiner and his wife Michele's tragic deaths, Groban is excited for fans to see the live Stonehenge recreation they filmed on location.

Why it matters

Rob Reiner was a legendary filmmaker known for classics like When Harry Met Sally and This Is Spinal Tap. His unexpected passing, along with that of his wife Michele, has left a void in the entertainment industry. Groban's reflections on working with Reiner provide a glimpse into the director's lasting impact on those he mentored, even in his later years.

The details

Groban revealed that he had the opportunity to work closely with Reiner and the Spinal Tap band members - Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer - while filming scenes for the upcoming Spinal Tap II movie. The singer said it was a "dream" to mingle with the comedic icons, and that no movie magic was used to recreate the iconic Stonehenge landmark, as they filmed the scenes live on location.

  • Groban's interview took place on the red carpet at the 2026 Oscars ceremony.

The players

Josh Groban

A singer-songwriter known for hits like "You Raise Me Up" who had the opportunity to work with Rob Reiner on the Spinal Tap II movie.

Rob Reiner

A legendary filmmaker known for classics like When Harry Met Sally and This Is Spinal Tap, who passed away tragically along with his wife Michele.

Spinal Tap

The iconic British heavy metal band featured in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, whose members - Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer - collaborated with Groban and Reiner on the Spinal Tap II film.

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What they’re saying

“'Spinal Tap was on the tour bus every step of my journey, and so to be able to do that with Rob and Michelle and the incredible guys in Spinal Tap, the funniest people on the planet.'”

— Josh Groban

“'We did that at Stonehenge, which they opened. We did it live there. And it was something that I'll always remember working with him. It was just such a tremendous learning experience. I can't wait for people to see it.'”

— Josh Groban

What’s next

Though the Spinal Tap II film does not yet have a release date, fans are eagerly awaiting to see the final product following Reiner and his wife's tragic deaths.

The takeaway

Groban's reflections on working with the legendary Rob Reiner highlight the director's lasting impact on those he mentored, even in his later years. The singer's excitement to share the live Stonehenge recreation with audiences is a testament to Reiner's enduring creative vision and the power of collaboration in the entertainment industry.