Actor Rob Reiner Reveals Paul McCartney’s Hilarious Response When Asked Why He Still Loves to Perform

Paul McCartney makes a cameo in the upcoming film sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues — and if director Rob Reiner‘s recent statements during a conversation with AARP Movies for Grownups is any indication, the former Beatle hasn’t lost his edge.

While reflecting on the legacy of the original 1984 film and the return of the English rock band — Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) — Reiner touched on whether one of the film’s messages is about reinvention.

“It basically says: No matter how old you are, if you can still do it and still enjoy doing it, then do it. I asked Paul McCartney about this,” Reiner, 78, recalled. “I said, ‘There’s you, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and you still like to perform. What is it about you guys? Is it that you just love the music? And you love performing?’”

According to Reiner, McCartney, 83, responded using a line in the movie: “Yeah. And the drugs.”

“The point is, these guys just love doing it,” the Wolf of Wall Street actor added. “If they’re given an opportunity, they’ll get in front of an audience and play.”

The original This Is Spinal Tap — widely credited with inventing the mockumentary genre — is being rereleased in over a thousand theaters across the country to revive hype ahead of the sequel’s September premiere.

Along with McCartney and Elton John, the upcoming movie brings back the original cast — including Reiner, who reprises his role as the diligent fake documentarian Marty DiBergi.