"Weird Al" Yankovic: Difference between revisions
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|Alias = "Weird Al" Yankovic |
|Alias = "Weird Al" Yankovic |
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|Born = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|10|23}} |
|Born = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|10|23}} |
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Death = Feb. 24 1987 |
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|Origin = [[Lynwood, California]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
|Origin = [[Lynwood, California]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
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|Instrument = [[singing|Vocals]], [[accordion]], [[Electronic keyboard|keyboards]] |
|Instrument = [[singing|Vocals]], [[accordion]], [[Electronic keyboard|keyboards]] |
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|Occupation = [[Record Producer]], [[Satire|Satirist]], [[Parody|Parodist]], [[Singer-Songwriter]], [[Musician]], [[Music Video Director|Director]], [[Television Producer|Producer]], [[Actor]] |
|Occupation = [[Record Producer]], [[Satire|Satirist]], [[Parody|Parodist]], [[Singer-Songwriter]], [[Musician]], [[Music Video Director|Director]], [[Television Producer|Producer]], [[Actor]] |
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|Years_active = |
|Years_active = 1979–1987 |
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|Genre(s): [[Parody]], [[Nerdcore]], [[Comedy]], [[Polka]] |
|Genre(s): [[Parody]], [[Nerdcore]], [[Comedy]], [[Polka]] |
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|Label = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], Placebo, [[TK Records|TK]], [[Scotti Brothers Records|Scotti Brothers]], [[Volcano Records|Volcano]] |
|Label = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], Placebo, [[TK Records|TK]], [[Scotti Brothers Records|Scotti Brothers]], [[Volcano Records|Volcano]] |
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|Past_members = [[Rick Derringer]]}} |
|Past_members = [[Rick Derringer]]}} |
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'''Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic''' ({{pronEng|ˈjæŋkəvɪk}}; born October 23, 1959) is an [[United States|America]]n [[singer-songwriter]], [[music producer]], [[actor]], [[comedian]], and [[satire|satirist]]. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of [[popular culture]] and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since his first-aired song parody in 1979, he has sold more than 12 million albums—more than any other comedy act in history—<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/09/AR2007080900305.html|last=Harrington|first=Richard|title=Weird Al's Imitation: A Funky Form of Flattery|publisher=Washington Post|accessdate=2007-08-10|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmJdXg|archivedate=2009-10-02|deadurl=no}}</ref> recorded more than 150 parody and original songs,<ref name="catchup">{{cite web|url=http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?f=39&g=b738d4f6-1921-4e6f-9836-1ce2b2b0850c&p=autvshows_authecatchup&t=m2556&mediaid=77139 |title=Weird Al Yankovic's latest send-ups on The Catch-up|accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref><ref name="catalog">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/catalog.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Catalog|accessdate=2006-10-28|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmp2r0|archivedate=2009-10-02|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Biographies|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> and has performed more than 1,000 live shows.<ref name="livepage">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/livepage.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Live Performances|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> His works have earned him three [[Grammy Award]]s among nine nominations, four [[RIAA certification|gold records]], and six [[RIAA certification|platinum records]] in the United States. |
'''Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic''' ({{pronEng|ˈjæŋkəvɪk}}; born October 23, 1959, died February 24, 1987) is an [[United States|America]]n [[singer-songwriter]], [[music producer]], [[actor]], [[comedian]], and [[satire|satirist]]. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of [[popular culture]] and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since his first-aired song parody in 1979, he has sold more than 12 million albums—more than any other comedy act in history—<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/09/AR2007080900305.html|last=Harrington|first=Richard|title=Weird Al's Imitation: A Funky Form of Flattery|publisher=Washington Post|accessdate=2007-08-10|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmJdXg|archivedate=2009-10-02|deadurl=no}}</ref> recorded more than 150 parody and original songs,<ref name="catchup">{{cite web|url=http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?f=39&g=b738d4f6-1921-4e6f-9836-1ce2b2b0850c&p=autvshows_authecatchup&t=m2556&mediaid=77139 |title=Weird Al Yankovic's latest send-ups on The Catch-up|accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref><ref name="catalog">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/catalog.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Catalog|accessdate=2006-10-28|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kESmp2r0|archivedate=2009-10-02|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm| title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Biographies|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> and has performed more than 1,000 live shows.<ref name="livepage">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/livepage.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Live Performances|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> His works have earned him three [[Grammy Award]]s among nine nominations, four [[RIAA certification|gold records]], and six [[RIAA certification|platinum records]] in the United States. He shot himself in the dome with a handgun in 1987. |
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In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own film, ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'', and his own television show, ''[[The Weird Al Show]]'', and directed [[music video]]s for himself and other artists including [[Ben Folds]], [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]], and [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]]. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in his own ''[[Al TV]]'' specials. |
In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own film, ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'', and his own television show, ''[[The Weird Al Show]]'', and directed [[music video]]s for himself and other artists including [[Ben Folds]], [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]], and [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]]. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in his own ''[[Al TV]]'' specials. |
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[[Image:Weirdalclassic.jpg|thumb|Yankovic's "classic" look before eye surgery: with glasses, mustache and short, curly hair]] |
[[Image:Weirdalclassic.jpg|thumb|Yankovic's "classic" look before eye surgery: with glasses, mustache and short, curly hair]] |
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Death |
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On January 24, 1998, Yankovic had [[LASIK]] eye surgery to correct his extreme [[myopia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weirdal.com/thelook1.htm|title=LASIK story and pictures}}</ref> In the same period, he shaved off his [[moustache]] and grew out his hair, thus radically changing his signature look (he had previously shaved his mustache in 1983 for the video of "[[Ricky (song)|Ricky]]" to resemble [[Desi Arnaz]] and 1996 for the "[[Amish Paradise]]" video). Yankovic reasoned, "If [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s allowed to reinvent herself every 15 minutes, I figure I should be good for a change at least once every twenty years."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010208173222/http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm |title=Archive.org for www.weirdal.com/bio.htm for February 8, 2001|accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> He parodied the reaction to this "new look" in a commercial for his nonexistent [[MTV Unplugged]] special. The commercial featured Yankovic in the short-haired wig from the music video for "[[The Saga Begins]]", claiming his new look was an attempt to "get back to the core of what I'm all about", that being "the music."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/videos/EatItUnpluggedPromo.wmv |title="Weird Al" Yankovic MTV Unplugged Promo|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> |
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He blew his brains out in the 80's |
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Yankovic married Suzanne Krajewski on February 10, 2001. Their daughter, Nina, was born February 11, 2003. They also have a pet [[cockatiel]] named Bo Veaner.<ref name="faq"/> They used to have a pet [[poodle]], Bela (pictured atop Yankovic's head on the cover of his album, ''[[Poodle Hat]]''). Yankovic identifies as [[Christian]] and has stated that a couple from his church appeared on the cover of ''Poodle Hat''.<ref>{{cite web|title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ask Al Archive <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0795|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5iwEXO7HB|archivedate=2009-08-10|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref><ref>http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0195</ref> |
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Yankovic changed his diet to become a [[Veganism|vegan]] in 1992, after a fan of his gave him the book ''[[John Robbins (author)|Diet for a New America]]'' and he felt "it made [...] a very compelling argument for a strict vegetarian diet."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0195 |title=Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for January, 1995|accessdate=2007-04-04}}</ref> When asked how he can "rationalize" performing at events such as the ''Great American Rib Cook-Off'' when he is a vegetarian, he replied "The same way I can rationalize playing at a college even though I’m not a student anymore."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0500 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 2000|accessdate=2007-06-23}}</ref> |
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On April 9, 2004, Yankovic's parents, Nick, 86, and Mary, 81, were found dead in their [[Fallbrook, California]], home, apparently the victims of accidental [[carbon monoxide poisoning]] from their fireplace that had been recently lit. The [[flue]] was closed, which trapped the carbon monoxide gas inside the house, suffocating them. An hour after his wife notified him of his parents' death, Yankovic went on with his concert in [[Appleton, Wisconsin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040410-9999-1mc10ffire.html |title=Fallbrook couple found dead |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref> saying that "since my music had helped many of my fans through tough times, maybe it would work for me as well" and that it would "at least ... give me a break from sobbing all the time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/msg.htm |title=A Message From Al|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> |
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His latest three album releases feature the longest songs Yankovic has ever released. The "[[Albuquerque (song)|Albuquerque]]" track from ''Running with Scissors'' is 11 minutes and 25 seconds; "Genius in France" from ''Poodle Hat'' runs for 8 minutes and 56 seconds; "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" from ''Straight Outta Lynwood'' is 10 minutes and 53 seconds long. Before 2007, (apart from a one-off performance of "Albuquerque" in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]),<ref name="setlists">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/setlists.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Concert Set Lists|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> these "epic" songs were not performed live in their entirety due to their length and complexity. ''(See [[#Live performances|Live performances]] for details)'' |
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Yankovic has also started to explore [[digital distribution]] of his songs. On October 7, 2008, Yankovic released to the [[iTunes Store]] a parody of "[[Whatever You Like]]" from artist [[T.I.]], which Yankovic states he came up with two weeks prior. Yankovic stated that the benefit of digital distribution is that "I don't have to wait around while my songs get old and dated -- I can get them out on the Internet almost immediately."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003870753 | title = Weird Al Goes Digital With T.I. Cover | publisher = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' | date = 2008-10-06 | accessdate = 2008-10-06 | first = Jeff | last = Vreval}}</ref> In 2009, Yankovic released four more songs: "[[Craigslist (song)|Craigslist]]" on June 16, "[[Skipper Dan]]" on July 14, "[[CNR (single)|CNR]]" on August 4, and "[[Ringtone (song)|Ringtone]]" on August 25. These five digitally released songs comprise a digital EP titled ''[[Internet Leaks]]'', with "Whatever You Like" retroactively being considered part of the EP set. The songs will also be included on Yankovic's next studio album, due to be released in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20090616/NY3313516062009-1.html | title = 'Weird Al' Yankovic Releases New Single 'Craigslist' an Homage to the Doors | publisher = [[PR Newswire]] | date =2009-06-16 | accessdate = 2009-06-21 }}</ref> |
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==Work== |
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===Music=== |
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{{Main|List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic}} |
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While Yankovic's song parodies (such as "[[Eat It]]") have resulted in success on the Billboard charts (''see [[List of singles by "Weird Al" Yankovic]]''), he has actually recorded an equally large number of original humorous songs ("[[You Don't Love Me Anymore]]" and "[[One More Minute]]").<ref name="faq"/> His work depends largely on the satirizing of [[popular culture]], including television (''see [[The TV Album]]''), movies ("[[The Saga Begins]]"), food (''see [[The Food Album]]''), popular music ("Bohemian Polka", "Polkarama"), and sometimes issues in contemporary news ("[[Headline News (song)|Headline News]]"). Yankovic claims he has no intention of writing "serious" music. In his reasoning, "There's enough people that do unfunny music. I'll leave the serious stuff to [[Paris Hilton]] and [[Kevin Federline]]."<ref name="hub">{{cite web|url=http://hub.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/NOISE02/707040313/1104/HUB |title='Weird Al' Yankovic - Parodist promises a high-energy show -- with costume changes|accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref> |
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Although many of Yankovic's songs are parodies of contemporary radio hits, it is rare that the song's primary topic lampoons the original artist as a person, or the song itself. Most Yankovic songs consist of the original song's music, with a separate, unrelated set of amusing lyrics. Exceptions include "[[Smells Like Nirvana]]", which references unintelligible lyrics in "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]", "[[Achy Breaky Song]]", which refers to the song "[[Achy Breaky Heart]]", "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long", which refers to the repetitious lyrics in "[[Got My Mind Set on You]]", the unreleased "It's Still Billy Joel to Me", and "[[Confessions Part III#Track listing|Confessions Part III]]", which references "[[Confessions (Usher album)|Confessions]]" and "[[Confessions (Usher album)|Confessions Part II]]" in the first few lines. |
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Yankovic's humor normally lies more in creating unexpected incongruity between an artist's image and the topic of the song, contrasting the style of the song with its content (such as the songs "[[Amish Paradise]]", "[[White & Nerdy]]", and "[[You're Pitiful]]"), or in pointing out trends or works which have become pop culture clichés (such as "[[eBay (song)|eBay]]" and "[[Don't Download This Song]]"). |
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Yankovic is the sole writer for all his songs, and for "legal and personal reasons" does not accept parody submissions or ideas from fans.<ref name="faq"/> There exists, however, one exception to this rule in the case of "[[Like a Surgeon ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Like a Surgeon]]." [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] was reportedly talking with a friend and happened to wonder aloud when Yankovic was going to turn her "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" into "Like a Surgeon." Madonna's friend was a mutual friend of Yankovic's manager, Jay Levey, and eventually Yankovic himself heard the story from Levey.<ref name="booklet"/> |
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Unlike other parody artists such as [[Allan Sherman]], Yankovic strives to keep the backing music in his parodies the same as the original. While Sherman reproduced them orchestrally, Yankovic and his band essentially play the original song with new lyrics. Instead of using instrumental versions of the original songs, Yankovic and his band transcribe the original song by ear and re-record the song for Yankovic's parody version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4730&view=findpost&p=306317 |title=World of Weird Al Yankovic Forums - Ask Jim|accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> |
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In addition to his parodies, Yankovic also includes a medley of various songs on most albums, each one reinterpreted as a [[polka]], with the choruses or memorable lines of various songs juxtaposed for humorous effect. Yankovic has been known to say that converting these songs to polka was "…the way God intended." Because the polkas have become a staple of Yankovic's albums, he has said he tries to include one on each album because "fans would be rioting in the streets, I think, if I didn't do a polka medley."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/Weird_Al_talks_new_album_2007_tour-10776.html?t=1 |title='Weird Al' talks new album, 2007 tour|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> |
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<!--Please do not add style parody artists/songs to the following paragraph as there are too many--> |
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Some of Yankovic's original songs are [[pastiche]]s or "style parodies", for which he chooses a band's entire body of work to honor/parody, rather than any single hit by that band. Such bands include [[Devo]] with "[[Dare to Be Stupid (song)|Dare to Be Stupid]]", [[Talking Heads]] with "Dog Eat Dog", [[Frank Zappa]] with "Genius in France", and [[Nine Inch Nails]] with "Germs".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for January, 2000|accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> Others are style parodies in the style of a [[music genre|genre]] of music, rather than a specific band (for example, [[country music]] with "Good Enough For Now" and [[charity record]]s with "[[Don't Download This Song]]"). |
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Yankovic has contributed original songs to several [[film]]s ("[[This Is the Life (song)|This Is the Life]]" from ''[[Johnny Dangerously]]''; "[[Polkamon]]" from the movie ''[[Pokémon: The Movie 2000]]'', and a parody of the [[James Bond]] title sequence in ''[[Spy Hard]]''), in addition to his own film, ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]''. Other songs of his have appeared in films or television series as well, such as "[[Dare to Be Stupid (song)|Dare to Be Stupid]]" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. |
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One of Yankovic's recurring jokes involves the number [[27 (number)|27]]; "Al" is the [[chemical symbol]] for [[aluminum]], and the [[atomic weight]] of that element is 27. It is seen on the covers for ''[[Running with Scissors (album)|Running With Scissors]]'', ''[[Poodle Hat]]'', and ''[[Straight Outta Lynwood]]''. Other recurring jokes revolve around the names Bob (the ''[[Al TV]]'' interviews often mention the name),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVGiUu2ciYY |title=Weird Al Interviews Avril Lavigne|accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> Frank (e.g. "Frank's 2000" TV"), and the surname "Finkelstein" (e.g. the music video for "[[I Lost on Jeopardy]]"). Also, a [[hamster]] called [[Harvey the Wonder Hamster]] is a recurring character in ''[[The Weird Al Show]]'' and the ''Al TV'' specials, as well as the subject of an original song on ''[[Alapalooza]]''. Some other recurring jokes include Yankovic borrowing, or being owed, $5. In a number of ''Al TV'' interviews, he often asks if he can borrow $5, being turned down every time. This motif also occurs in [[Poodle Hat|Why Does This Always Happen to Me?]], in which his deceased friend owes him $5. Another recurring joke is his attraction to female nostrils or nostrils in general. This also appears in numerous ''Al TV'' interviews as well as in several of his songs ([[Albuquerque (song)|Albuquerque]], [[Poodle Hat|Wanna B Ur Lovr]] to name a few.) Yankovic also asks his celebrity guests if they could "shave his back for a nickel." This also appears in the song [[Albuquerque (song)|Albuquerque]]. Yankovic has also put two [[backmasking]] messages into his songs. The first, in "Nature Trail to Hell", said "Satan Eats [[Cheez Whiz]]"; the second, in "I Remember Larry", said "Wow, you must have an awful lot of free time on your hands."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/faq/#secret |title=Al-oholics Anonymous' Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> |
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Yankovic's career in novelty and comedy music has outlasted many of his "mainstream" parody targets, such as [[Toni Basil]], [[MC Hammer]], and [[Men Without Hats]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spokane7.com/music/stories/?ID=401 |title=Weird Al's shtick still draws a crowd |accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townonline.com/northshoresunday/homepage/x1575047109 |title=Revenge of the nerd: 'Weird Al' gets all white and nerdy for summer tour |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> While most [[novelty song|novelty artists]] are [[one-hit wonder]]s, Yankovic's continued success (including the top 10 single "[[White & Nerdy]]" and album ''[[Straight Outta Lynwood]]'' in 2006) has enabled him to escape the stigma often associated with novelty music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tweak.com/phonetag/weirdal/ |title=Tweak: Phone Tag - Weird Al Yankovic |accessdate=2006-10-16}}</ref> |
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====Music videos==== |
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While Yankovic's musical parodies generally do not include references to the songs or the artists of the original songs, Yankovic's music videos will sometimes incorporate parodies of many elements of the original song's music video, or otherwise spoof the general style of the music. Most notably, the video for "[[Smells Like Nirvana]]" uses an extremely similar set to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]", including using several of the same actors. This video contended with "Smells like Teen Spirit" at the 1992 [[MTV Video Music Awards]] for Best Male Video. Other videos that are parodies of their original song videos include "[[Eat It]]", "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]", "[[Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*]]", "[[Bedrock Anthem]]", "[[Headline News (song)|Headline News]]", and "[[White & Nerdy]]". The video for "[[Dare to Be Stupid]]" is, as stated by Yankovic, a style parody in general of [[Devo]] videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for January, 2000" |accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref> "[[It's All about the Pentiums]]" is a parody of "[[It's All about the Benjamins]]" by [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]]. Recent videos have included notable celebrities in addition to Yankovic and his band; for example, [[Dick Van Patten]] is featured in both "Smells Like Nirvana" and "[[Bedrock Anthem]]", [[Drew Carey]], [[Emo Philips]] and [[Phil LaMarr]] appear in "It's All About the Pentiums", and [[Keegan-Michael Key]], [[Jordan Peele]], [[Donny Osmond]], [[Judy Tenuta]] and [[Seth Green]] appear in "White & Nerdy". Also, [[Ruth Buzzi]] and [[Pat Boone]] appear in "Gump". |
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While most videos that Yankovic creates are aired on music channels such as [[MTV]] and [[VH1]], Yankovic has begun working with animation artists to create music videos for release with extended content albums. The [[DualDisc]] version of ''Straight Outta Lynwood'' features six videos set to songs from the release, including videos created by [[Bill Plympton]] and [[John Kricfalusi]]; one video, "[[Weasel Stomping Day]]" was created by the producers of the show ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' and used as a segment during one episode. |
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====Reactions from original artists==== |
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Under the "[[fair use]]" provision of U.S. [[copyright]] law, affirmed by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]], one does not need permission to record a [[parody]].<ref>''[[Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.]]'', {{Findlaw_us|510|569}} (1994)</ref> However, as a personal rule, and as a means of maintaining good relationships within the music community, Yankovic has always requested permission from the original artist before recording his parodies.<ref name="faq"/> Most artists have had positive reactions to Yankovic's parodies. Several have considered it to be something of a badge of honor to have Yankovic ask permission to parody their song or style, since they felt that Yankovic would not choose to do so unless they were a success or had made an impact on the music scene at the time. However, there are a few notable exceptions where people have not allowed parodies or have otherwise withdrawn permission. |
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=====Positive===== |
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[[Dave Grohl]] of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] said that the band felt they had "made it" after Yankovic recorded "[[Smells Like Nirvana]]," a parody of the [[grunge]] band's smash hit, "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]."<ref name="faq"/> On his ''Behind the Music'' special, Yankovic stated that when he called Nirvana frontman [[Kurt Cobain]] to ask if he could parody the song, Cobain gave him permission, then paused and asked, "Um... it's not gonna be about food, is it?" Yankovic responded with, "No, it'll be about how no one can understand your lyrics." According to members of Nirvana interviewed for ''Behind the Music,'' when they saw the video of the song, they laughed hysterically. Additionally, Cobain described Yankovic as "a musical genius."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/gig-previews--reviews/weird-al-yankovic/2007/03/19/1174152930142.html |title=Weird Al Yankovic - Gig previews & reviews - Music - Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-04-16}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Yankovic-TheSagaBegins.jpg|left|thumb|Yankovic performing "[[The Saga Begins]]" in [[Auckland]], New Zealand on March 10, 2007.]][[Michael Jackson]] was also a big fan of Yankovic. Jackson twice allowed him to parody his songs ("[[Beat It]]" and "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" became "[[Eat It]]" and "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]," respectively). When he granted Yankovic permission to do "Fat," Jackson allowed him to use the same set built for his own "[[Moonwalker#Badder|Badder]]" video from the ''[[Moonwalker]]'' video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=127:filmography&id=674:moonwalker-1988&Itemid=130 |title=Moonwalker (1988) |accessdate=2009-01-17}}</ref> Though Jackson allowed "Eat It" and "Fat," he requested that Yankovic not record a parody of "[[Black or White]]," because he felt the message was too important. However, Yankovic has performed a concert-only parody "Snack All Night" in some of his live shows.<ref name="setlists"/> Yankovic also has a cameo appearance, along with many other celebrities, in Jackson's music video for "[[Liberian Girl]]." |
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[[Mark Knopfler]] approved Yankovic's parody of the [[Dire Straits]] song "[[Money for Nothing (song)|Money for Nothing]]" for use in the film ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'' on the provision that Knopfler himself be allowed to play lead guitar on the parody which was later titled "[[Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0946148/bio |title=Biography for 'Weird Al' Yankovic|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> Yankovic commented on the legal complications of the parody in the DVD audio commentary for ''UHF'', explaining "We had to name that song 'Money for Nothing 'slash' Beverly Hillbillies 'asterisk' because the lawyers told us that had to be the name. Those wacky lawyers! What ya gonna do?"<ref>Al Yankovic, "UHF" DVD Audio Commentary (0:35:15)</ref> The ''[[Permanent Record: Al in the Box]]'' booklet referred to the song's "compound fracture of a title."<ref name="booklet"/> When a fan asked about the song's title, Yankovic shared his feelings on the title, replying "That incredibly stupid name is what the lawyers insisted that the parody be listed as. I'm not sure why, and I've obviously never been very happy about it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1098|title="Ask Al" Q&As for October, 1998|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> |
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[[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] were so pleased with "Gump", Yankovic's parody of their song "Lump", that they ended the song with Yankovic's last line instead of their own ("And that's all I have to say about that") on the live recording of "Lump" featured on the compilation album ''[[Pure Frosting]]''. In 2008, Yankovic directed the music video for their song "[[Mixed Up S.O.B.]]"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej/2008/02/04/weird_al_yankovic_to_direct_next_preside|title=Bring the Noise Weird Al Yankovic to direct next Presidents of the United States of America video |publisher=[[The News Tribune]]|author=Ernest Jasmin|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> |
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The song "[[The Saga Begins]]" (a parody of [[Don McLean]]'s "[[American Pie]]") accurately states the entire plot of ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]'', despite being written before the film's release. Yankovic got the plot details from [[rumor]] websites. He was slightly unsure about [[Darth Vader|Anakin]] proposing to [[Padmé Amidala|Amidala]], so he attended a [[United States dollar|US$]]500 screening to confirm, and ended up making only very minor alterations to the lyrics. McLean was pleased with the parody, and even told Yankovic that the parody's lyrics sometimes enter his mind during live performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0999|title="Ask Al" Q&As for September, 1999| accessdate=2006-10-29}}</ref> Yankovic's parody not only replicates the music from the original [[Don McLean]] song, but it also replicates the multi-layered rhyming structure in the verses and chorus. Additionally, [[George Lucas]] loved the song and a [[Lucasfilm]] representative told Yankovic, "You should have seen the smile on his face."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/weirdal.asp |title=TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews - Weird Al Yankovic |publisher=TheForce.Net|author=Chris Knight|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> |
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[[Chamillionaire]] was also very pleased, even putting Yankovic's parody "[[White & Nerdy]]" on his official [[MySpace]] page before it was on Yankovic's own page. Chamillionaire stated in an interview, "He's actually [[rapping]] pretty good on it, it's crazy [...] I didn't know he could rap like that. It's really an honor when he does that. [...] Weird Al is not gonna do a parody of your song if you're not doing it big."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/091106/ |title=MTVNews.com - Mixtape Monday: Lil Wayne, Juelz To Drop Real Album; Ness Drops Da Band|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> In September 2007, Chamillionaire credited "White & Nerdy" for his recent Grammy win, stating "That parody was the reason I won the Grammy, because it made the record so big it was undeniable. It was so big overseas that people were telling me they had heard my version of Weird Al's song."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-09-16-chamillionaire_N.htm |title=Chamillionaire triumphs over cursing on 'Ultimate Victory' |author=Steve Jones |publisher=USA Today |accessdate = 2007-09-20}}</ref> |
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=====Negative===== |
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One of Yankovic's most controversial parodies was 1996's "[[Amish Paradise]]", based on "[[Gangsta's Paradise (song)|Gangsta's Paradise]]" by hip-hop artist [[Coolio]], which, in turn, was based on "[[Songs in the Key of Life|Pastime Paradise]]" by [[Stevie Wonder]]. Reportedly, Coolio's label gave Yankovic the impression that Coolio had granted permission to record the parody, but Coolio maintains that he never did. While Coolio claimed he was upset, legal action never materialized, and Coolio accepted [[Royalties|royalty]] payments for the song. After this controversy, Yankovic has always made sure to speak directly with the artist of every song he parodied. At the [[XM Satellite Radio]] booth at the 2006 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] Yankovic and Coolio made peace. On his website, Yankovic wrote of this event, "I don’t remember what we said to each other exactly, but it was all very friendly. I doubt I’ll be invited to Coolio’s next birthday party, but at least I can stop wearing that bulletproof vest to the mall."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#042706 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for April 27, 2006|accessdate=2006-09-02|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gv2Zw4KL|archivedate=2009-05-20|deadurl=no}}</ref> |
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In 2003, Yankovic was denied permission to make a video for "[[Couch Potato (song)|Couch Potato]]", his parody of [[Eminem]]'s "[[Lose Yourself]]": |
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{{cquote|Last year, Eminem forced me to halt production on the video for my 'Lose Yourself' parody because he somehow thought that it would be harmful to his image or career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20041014/ai_n12565818 |title=Is the King of Pop losing it? |author=Mike Thomas |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |accessdate = 2006-10-29}}</ref>}} |
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For the ''[[Poodle Hat]]'' ''[[Al TV]]'' special, Yankovic raised the question of artistic expression in a fake interview with Eminem. As Yankovic has always done for his ''Al TV'' specials, he edited the footage of a previous Eminem interview and inserted himself asking questions for comic effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPwBdnknGIs |title=Eminem Interview |accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref> |
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=====Refused parodies===== |
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On numerous occasions, [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] has refused Yankovic permission to record parodies of his songs. Yankovic has stated in interviews that he has "approached him every few years [to] see if he's lightened up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/interviews/hotwired.txt |title="Weird Al" Yankovic Interview by Michael Small of Hotwired.com|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> |
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[[Led Zeppelin]] guitarist [[Jimmy Page]] is a self-proclaimed Yankovic fan, but when Yankovic wished to create a polka medley of Led Zeppelin songs, Page refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for June, 1999|accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref> Yankovic was, however, allowed the very rare opportunity to re-record a sample of "[[Black Dog (song)|Black Dog]]" for a segment of "[[Trapped in the Drive-Thru]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/19/weird-al-yankovic-dishes-on-james-blunt-discusses-his-role-as-the-whitest-nerdiest-rock-star-ever/ |title=Weird Al Yankovic Dishes On James Blunt, Discusses His Role As the Whitest, Nerdiest Rock Star Ever|accessdate=2006-10-27}}</ref> |
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[[Paul McCartney]], also a Yankovic fan, refused Yankovic permission to record a parody of [[Wings (band)|Wings]]' "[[Live and Let Die (song)|Live and Let Die]]", entitled "Chicken Pot Pie", because McCartney is a vegetarian and did not wish to condone the eating of meat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/interviews/alicon.html |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Icon Profile|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> Yankovic, who is a vegetarian as well, has stated that he respects McCartney's decision to refuse the parody, and is hesitant to "put Paul on the list" of artists who have refused permission for a parody.<ref name="catchup"/> However, like "Snack All Night", "Chicken Pot Pie" has been performed numerous times in concert.<ref name="setlists"/> His concerts often feature parodies for which the artist did not give permission or could not be released for various reasons. |
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In 2006, Yankovic gained [[James Blunt]]'s permission to record a parody of "[[You're Beautiful]]". However, after Yankovic had recorded "[[You're Pitiful]]", Blunt's label, Atlantic Records, rescinded this permission. The parody was pulled from Yankovic's ''[[Straight Outta Lynwood]]'' due to his label's unwillingness to "go to war" with Atlantic. Yankovic released the song as a free download on his [[MySpace]] profile, as well as his official website, and plays it in concert, since it was not Blunt himself objecting to the parody.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5482774 |title=Free 'Weird Al' Yankovic!|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> The music video for "[[White & Nerdy]]" references this dispute, showing Yankovic defacing Atlantic Records' Wikipedia article with the words "YOU SUCK!" |
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====Live performances==== |
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[[Image:Atlantic record sucks shirt your pitiful aug 8th 2007 ohio state fair.JPG|left|thumb|Weird Al wearing his "Atlantic Records Sucks" shirt during a performance of "[[You're Pitiful]]", on August 8, 2007, at the [[Ohio State Fair]].]] |
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Yankovic often describes his live concert performances as "a rock and comedy multimedia extravaganza"<ref name="yahoocache">{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:09MwL6eaJ3sJ:launch.yahoo.com/read/interview/12027570 |title=Weird Al Yankovic Interviews on Yahoo! Music (Google Cache)|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> with an audience that "ranges from toddlers to geriatrics."<ref name="hub"/> Apart from Yankovic and his band performing his classic and contemporary hits, staples of Yankovic's live performances include a medley of parodies, many costume changes between songs, and a video screen on which various clips are played during the costume changes.<ref name="yahoocache"/> A concert from Yankovic's 1999 tour for the ''[[Running with Scissors (album)|Running with Scissors]]'' album (''[[Touring With Scissors]]'') was released on [[VHS]] in 1999 and on DVD in 2000.<ref name="catalog"/> Titled ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic Live!]]'', the concert was recorded at the [[Marin County Civic Center]] in [[San Rafael, California]], on October 2, 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/100299.htm |title=Weird Al Photo Gallery - Backstage "Pep Talk"|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> For legal reasons, video clips (apart from those for Yankovic's own music videos) could not be shown for the home release, and unreleased parodies were removed from the parody medley for the performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0300 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for March, 2000|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> |
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2003 saw Yankovic on tour overseas for the first time. Before 2003, Yankovic and his band had toured only the United States and parts of Canada.<ref name="livepage"/> Following the success of ''[[Poodle Hat]]'' in Australia, Yankovic performed eleven shows in Australia's major capital cities and regional areas in October of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/phtour.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Poodle Hat '03 & '04 Tourdates|accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref> Yankovic returned to Australia and toured New Zealand for the first time in 2007 to support the [[Straight Outta Lynwood]] album. |
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On September 8, 2007, Yankovic performed his 1,000th live show at [[Idaho Falls, Idaho]].<ref name="livepage"/> |
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===''UHF''=== |
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{{Main|UHF (film)}} |
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In 1989, Yankovic starred in a full-length feature film, co-written by himself and manager [[Jay Levey]], and filmed in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]] called ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]''. A satire of the television and film industries, also starring [[Michael Richards]], [[Fran Drescher]], and [[Victoria Jackson]], it brought floundering studio [[Orion Pictures|Orion]] their highest [[test screening|test scores]] since the movie ''[[RoboCop]]''.<ref name="robo">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0599 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 1999|accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> However, it was unsuccessful in theaters, likely due to a release in mid-1989, going up against ''[[Ghostbusters II]]'', ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'', ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', and others. |
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The film has since become a [[Cult film|cult classic]], with out-of-print copies of the [[VHS]] version selling for up to $100 on [[eBay]] until the release of the [[DVD]] in 2002. Yankovic occasionally shows clips from the film at his concerts (to which [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]], the film's current owner, initially objected in the form of a [[cease and desist]] letter).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0500 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for May, 2000|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> In an apparent attempt to make it more accessible to overseas audiences, where the term [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] is used less frequently to describe TV broadcasts, the film was titled ''[[UHF (film)|The Vidiot From UHF]]'' in Australia and parts of Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098546/ |title=UHF (1989)|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> |
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''UHF'' shows the creation of Yankovic's signature food—the Twinkie Wiener Sandwich. The snack consists of an overturned [[Twinkie]] split open as a makeshift bun, a [[hot dog]], and [[Easy Cheese]] put together and dipped in milk before eating. Yankovic has stated that he has switched to using [[tofu]] hot dogs since becoming a [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]], but still enjoys the occasional Twinkie Wiener Sandwich.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1095 |title=Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for October/November, 1995|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> |
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===Notable television appearances=== |
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Yankovic had a TV series called ''[[The Weird Al Show]]'', which aired from September 1997 to December 1997 on [[CBS]]. Though the show appeared to be geared at children, the humor was really more for his adult fans (as such, it is often compared to ''[[Pee-wee's Playhouse]]''). The entire series was released on [[DVD]] by [[Shout! Factory]] on August 15, 2006. |
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Yankovic has hosted ''[[Al TV]]'' on [[MTV]] and ''Al Music'' on [[MuchMusic]] many times, generally coinciding with the release of each new album. For ''[[Poodle Hat]]'', ''[[Al TV]]'' appeared on [[VH1]] for the first time. A recurring segment of ''[[Al TV]]'' involves Yankovic manipulating interviews for comic effect. He inserts himself into a previously conducted interview with a musician, and then manipulates his questions, resulting in bizarre and comic responses from the celebrity. |
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[[VH1]] produced a ''[[Behind the Music]]'' episode on Yankovic; they stretched disappointments and skirmishes during his career into major downfalls to fit the program's classic formula.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} His two commercial failures (his film ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'' and his 1986 album ''[[Polka Party!]]'') were presented as having a larger impact on the direction of his career than they really had. Also, [[Coolio]]'s later disapproval of "[[Amish Paradise]]" was played up as a large feud. Much was also made over his apparent lack of a love life, though he got married shortly after the program aired. |
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Yankovic has done voice-overs for a number of animated series. He appeared in a 2003 episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', singing "The Ballad of Homer & Marge" (a parody of [[John Mellencamp]]'s "[[Jack and Diane]]") with his band. The episode, "[[Three Gays of the Condo]]", in which [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] hires Yankovic to sing the aforementioned song to [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] in an attempt to reconcile their marriage, later won an [[Emmy Award]] for "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)". Yankovic also had a cameo in a 2008 episode, entitled "[[That 90's Show]]", during which he records a parody of Homer's grunge hit "Shave Me" entitled "Brain Freeze" (Homer's song, "Shave Me", was itself a parody of [[Nirvana]]'s "[[Rape Me]]") making Yankovic one of only a handful of celebrities to appear twice on the show playing themselves. Yankovic is the voice for [[List of characters in The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy#Toadblatt.27s Summer School of Sorcery|Squid Hat]] on the [[Cartoon Network (US)|Cartoon Network]] show, ''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy]]''. He is also the announcer of the cartoon's eponymous [[The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (video game)|video game]] adaptation. Yankovic had a guest appearance voicing [[Wreck-Gar]], a [[waste collection vehicle]] Transformer in the ''[[Transformers: Animated]]'' cartoon series;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/cartoon-network-to-air-transformers-animated-episo/13008/ |title=Cartoon Network To Air Transformers Animated Episode "Garbage In, Garbage Out"--10:30AM|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref> previously, Yankovic's "Dare to Be Stupid" song was featured in the 1986 animated film ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', during the sequence in which the Wreck-Gar character was first introduced; as such, the song is referenced in the episode. He also plays local TV talent show host Uncle Muscles on several episodes of [[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job]]. Weird Al has also supplied the voice of one-shot character 'Petroleum Joe' on [[The Brak Show]]. |
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An exhaustive list of television shows on which Yankovic has appeared is available on his official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/filmtv.htm |title=Film & TV list|accessdate=2007-07-02}}</ref> |
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===Directing career=== |
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"Weird Al" Yankovic has directed many of his own [[music video]]s; he has directed all of his music videos from 1993’s "[[Bedrock Anthem]]" to his latest, 2006’s "[[White & Nerdy]]". He also directed the end sequence of 1986’s "[[Christmas at Ground Zero]]" (an original piece juxtaposing [[Christmas]] with [[nuclear warfare]]) from his ''[[Polka Party!]]'' album and the title sequence to ''[[Spy Hard]]'', for which he sang the title song.<ref name="vidfacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/videtc.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Video Facts|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> Yankovic wrote, directed and starred in the short 3-D movie attraction "Al's Brain: A 3-D Journey Through The Human Brain," to premiere at the [[Orange County Fair (California)|Orange County Fair]] in [[Costa Mesa, California]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yankovic.org/blog/2008/07/30/go-into-als-brain/|title=Go Into Al's Brain >> Yank Blog|accessdate=2008-07-31}}</ref> The [[USD|$]]2.5 million project sponsored by the Orange County Fair, including a brief cameo by Sir [[Paul McCartney]] that Yankovic directed during McCartney's tour at the 2009 [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/08/11/fair-will-produce-more-spectacles-after-polling-shows-affection-for-als-brain/30601/ | title = ‘Al’s Brain’ is declared a success, and OC Fair will produce more ‘feature exhibits’ | publisher = OC Watchdog | date = 2009-08-11 | accessdate = 2009-08-17 | first = Teri | last= Sforza }}</ref> Fair CEO Steve Beazley, who supported the project, considers the project a success and is considering leasing the exhibit to other fairs; the second appearance of the exhibit will be at the [[Puyallup Fair]] in [[Washington]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/things-to-do/weird-al.php | title = Al's Brain Exhibit | publisher = [[Puyallup Fair]] | accessdate = 2009-08-17 }}</ref> |
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In addition to his own, he has directed several videos for [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] (The ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' sequences in "[[River (song)|River]]"), [[The Black Crowes]] ("[[Only a Fool (song)|Only a Fool]]"), [[Ben Folds]] ("[[Rockin' the Suburbs (song)|Rockin' the Suburbs]]"), [[Jeff Foxworthy]] ("Redneck Stomp" and "Party All Night"), [[Blues Explosion]] ("Wail"), and [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] ("Mixed Up S.O.B").<ref name="vidfacts"/> He has cameo appearances in his videos for Blues Explosion, [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] (as the interviewer), and [[Ben Folds]] (as the producer fixing Folds' "shitty tracks"). |
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===Other Media=== |
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In [[2008]], "Weird Al" joined [[Michael J. Nelson]] as a guest on the [[Rifftrax]] treatment of [[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]. |
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Yankovic will be writing a children's book, ''When I Grow Up'', to be published by [[HarperCollins]] in early 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.harpercollins.com/footer/release.aspx?id=818&b=&year=2009 | title = HarperCollins Children's Books Signs "Weird Al" Yankovic | publisher = [[HarperCollins]] | date = 2009-09-16 | accessdate = 2009-10-01 }}</ref> |
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==Misattribution and imitators== |
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[[Image:WeirdAlLimeWire.png|thumb|A screenshot of [[LimeWire]] PRO, showing a large number of parodies misattributed to Yankovic, as well as numerous misspellings of his surname. ({{start date|2007|02}})]] |
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Songs posted to [[file sharing]] networks are often misattributed to him due to their humorous subject matter. Often, his surname is misspelled (and thus mispronounced) as "Yankovich", among other variations. Much to the disdain of Yankovic, these misattributed files include songs that are racist, sexually explicit, or otherwise offensive. A young listener who had heard several of these offensive tracks by way of a file sharing service confronted Yankovic online, threatening a boycott due to his supposedly explicit lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#100205 |title="Ask Al" Q&As for October 2, 2005|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> Quite a few of the songs, such as "[[Star Wars Cantina (song)#Parody song|Star Wars Cantina]]" by [[Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine|Mark Jonathan Davis]] (later of [[Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine]]), "[[Star Wars Gangsta Rap]]", "Yoda Smokes Weed", "Chewbacca" and several more have a ''[[Star Wars]]'' motif.<ref name="notalpage">{{cite web|url=http://free.house.cx/~eil/etc/notal_list.html |title=The Not Al Page: The most popular songs he didn't even write (or perform)!|accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> Some songs misattributed to him are not songs, but spoken skits, such as "[[Sesame Street]] on crack", which is also widely misattributed to [[Adam Sandler]]. |
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Yankovic cites these misattributions as "his only real beef with [[peer-to-peer]] [[file sharing]] sites": |
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{{cquote|If you do a search for my name on any one of those sites, I guarantee you that about half of the songs that come up will be songs I had absolutely nothing to do with. That particularly bothers me, because I really try to do quality work, and I also try to maintain a more-or-less family-friendly image—and some of these songs that are supposedly by me are just, well, vulgar and awful. I truly think my reputation has suffered in a lot of people's minds because of all those fake Weird Al songs floating around the Internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itworld.com/060918download |title="Don't not download this song"|accessdate=2006-09-23}}</ref>}} |
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A list of songs frequently misattributed to Yankovic can be found at [http://free.house.cx/~eil/etc/notal_list.html The Not Al Page]<ref name="notalpage"/> and a list of all commercially released songs recorded by Yankovic can be found on his website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/rcdgdate.htm |title=Recording Dates Page|accessdate=2006-12-01}}</ref> |
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==Fan-driven campaigns== |
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The Weird Al Star Fund is a campaign started by Yankovic's fans to get him a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. Their mission is to "solicit, collect, and raise the necessary money, and to compile the information needed for the application to nominate 'Weird Al' Yankovic for a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]."<ref name="starfund">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalstar.com/ |title=The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Campaign for "Weird Al" Yankovic|accessdate = 2007-03-15}}</ref> Fans worldwide have sent donations to raise the [[United States dollar|US$]]15,000 needed for a nomination. In addition to the preferred method of cash donations, many methods were used to raise money for the cause, such as a live benefit show held April 11, 2006, and selling merchandise on the official website and [[eBay]], including T-shirts, calendars, and cookbooks.<ref name="cook">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdalstar.com/tributeshow.html |title=The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Campaign for "Weird Al" Yankovic|accessdate = 2006-10-29}}</ref> On May 26, 2006, the campaign hit the then-$15,000 target, just five days before the May 31 deadline to submit the necessary paperwork.<ref name="starfund"/> However, Yankovic was not included on the list of inductees for 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=8ce9efb9-2eb5-4f61-85ab-c5c2ffb9d885 |title=Damon, Diddy, Ponch Got Star Power|author=Gina Serpe|publisher=E! Online News|accessdate = 2006-10-29}}</ref> On February 9, 2007, the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce raised the price to sponsor a new star to $25,000<ref name="starfund"/> and as such the Fund is accepting donations again. Yankovic's application was resubmitted for consideration in 2007, but he was not included among 2008's inductees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/?p=1129 |title=New Stars to Grace Hollywood Walk of Fame|accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> |
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Similar to the Weird Al Star Fund, a second fan-driven campaign is the effort to Make the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|Rock Hall]] "Weird". Since 2004, Yankovic has been eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [[Cleveland, Ohio]].<ref name="rockhallgoal">{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/goal.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - Our Mission|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref> Previous attempts to raise awareness for the campaign and support Yankovic's nomination included a petition drive from 2006 to 2007, which raised over 9000 signatures; an art competition in 2005; additionally, a documentary film about the campaign is currently being developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/faq.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - FAQ|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref><ref name="rockhallhelp">{{cite web|url=http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/what.htm |title=Make the Rock Hall "Weird" - How You Can Help|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref> In addition to these efforts, an ongoing campaign is underway in which supporters of Yankovic's nomination are requested to send "sincere, thoughtful" letters to the Rock Hall Foundation's headquarters in New York.<ref name="rockhallhelp"/> The Hall has not considered Yankovic for nomination since the campaign started in 2004.<ref name="rockhallgoal"/> |
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==Discography== |
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{{Main|"Weird Al" Yankovic discography|List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic}} |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC |
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! Album title || Release year |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|"Weird Al" Yankovic]]'' || 1983 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]'' || 1984 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' || 1985 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Polka Party!]]'' || 1986 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Even Worse]]'' || 1988 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits]]'' || 1988 |
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|- |
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| ''[[UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff]]'' || 1989 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Off the Deep End]]'' || 1992 |
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|- |
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| ''[[The Food Album]]'' || 1993 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Alapalooza]]'' || 1993 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Permanent Record: Al in the Box]]'' || 1994 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Greatest Hits Volume II ("Weird Al" Yankovic album)|Greatest Hits Volume II]]'' || 1994 |
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|- |
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| ''[[The TV Album]]'' || 1995 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Bad Hair Day]]'' || 1996 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Running with Scissors (album)|Running with Scissors]]'' || 1999 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Poodle Hat]]'' || 2003 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Straight Outta Lynwood]]'' || 2006 |
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|- |
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| ''[[The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic]] || 2009 |
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|- |
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| ''TBA'' || 2010 |
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|- |
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|} |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC |
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! Single || Release year |
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|- |
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| ''[[You're Pitiful]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2006 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Whatever You Like ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Whatever You Like]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2008 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Craigslist (song)|Craigslist]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2009 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Internet Leaks|Skipper Dan]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2009 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Internet Leaks|CNR]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2009 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Ringtone (song)|Ringtone]]''{{ref|digital single|1}} || 2009 |
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|} |
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{{refbegin}} |
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{{note|digital single|1}}The "You're Pitiful", "Whatever You Like", "Craigslist", "Skipper Dan", "CNR" and "Ringtone" singles were released as digital downloads only. |
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{{refend}} |
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===Awards and nominations=== |
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'''Grammy Awards'''<ref name="awards"/> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- |
|||
!Year |
|||
!Nominated work |
|||
!Award |
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!Result |
|||
|- |
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|rowspan="1"|[[Grammy Awards of 1985|1984]] |
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|rowspan=1|"[[Eat It]]" |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Recording]] |
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|Won |
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|- |
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|rowspan="1"|[[Grammy Awards of 1986|1985]] |
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|rowspan=1|''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Recording]] |
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|Nominated |
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|- |
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|rowspan="1"|[[Grammy Awards of 1988|1987]] |
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|rowspan=1|''[[Polka Party!]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Recording]] |
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|Nominated |
|||
|- |
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|rowspan="3"|[[Grammy Awards of 1989|1988]] |
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|rowspan=1|"[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video|Best Concept Music Video]] |
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|Won |
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|- |
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|rowspan=1|''[[Even Worse]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Recording]] |
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|Nominated |
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|- |
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|rowspan=1|"[[Peter and the Wolf (album)|Peter and the Wolf]]" |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Album for Children|Best Recording for Children]] |
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|Nominated |
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|- |
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|rowspan="1"|[[Grammy Awards of 1993|1992]] |
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|rowspan=1|''[[Off The Deep End]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Album]] |
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|Nominated |
|||
|- |
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|rowspan="1"|[[46th Grammy Awards|2003]] |
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|rowspan=1|''[[Poodle Hat]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Album]] |
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|Won |
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|- |
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|rowspan="2"|[[49th Grammy Awards|2006]] |
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|rowspan=2|''[[Straight Outta Lynwood]]'' |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album|Best Surround Sound Album]] |
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|Nominated |
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|- |
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|[[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Album]] |
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|Nominated |
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|- |
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|} |
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<!--DO NOT ADD VIDEO related awards here. See Videography section--> |
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'''Gold and platinum records'''<ref name="awards"/><ref name="riaa"/> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Recording |
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! Gold |
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! Platinum |
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! Double<br />Platinum |
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|- |
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| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic'' |
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| U.S. |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D'' |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| <br />U.S. |
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| |
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|- |
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| "Eat It"{{ref|Eat It single|1}} |
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| Australia<br />Canada<br />U.S. |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''Dare to be Stupid'' |
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| U.S. |
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| U.S. |
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| |
|||
|- |
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| ''Even Worse'' |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| <br />U.S. |
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| |
|||
|- |
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| ''"Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits'' |
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| Canada |
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| |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
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| ''Off the Deep End'' |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| |
|||
|- |
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| ''The Food Album'' |
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| U.S. |
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| |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
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| ''Alapalooza'' |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| Canada<br /> |
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| Canada<br /> |
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|- |
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| ''Greatest Hits Volume II'' |
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| Canada |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''Bad Hair Day'' |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| Canada<br />U.S. |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''Running With Scissors'' |
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| Australia<br />Canada<br />U.S. |
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| <br /> <br />U.S. |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''Straight Outta Lynwood'' |
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| U.S. |
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| |
|||
| |
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|- |
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| "White & Nerdy"{{ref|White and Nerdy single|2}} |
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| U.S. |
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| U.S. |
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| |
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|} |
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{{refbegin}} |
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{{note|Eat It single|1}}The "Eat It" single reached the #1 position on the Australian singles chart in 1984. |
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{{note|White and Nerdy single|2}}The "White & Nerdy" single was certified platinum for digital downloads and gold for ringtone downloads in the U.S. |
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{{refend}} |
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==Videography== |
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The following is a comprehensive list of Yankovic's long form videos to date, with the United States release date. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
|||
! Video title !! Release date |
|||
|- |
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| ''[[The Compleat Al]]'' || August 1985 |
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|- |
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| ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'' || July 21, 1989 |
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|- |
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| ''[[The "Weird Al" Yankovic Video Library]]'' || May 1992 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Alapalooza: The Videos]]'' || December 1993 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Collection]]'' || 1993 |
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|- |
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| ''[[Bad Hair Day: The Videos]]'' || June 1996 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic: The Videos]]'' || January 1998 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic Live!]]'' || November 23, 1999 |
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|- |
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| ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection]]'' || November 3, 2003 |
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|- |
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| ''[[The Weird Al Show#DVD release|The Weird Al Show - The Complete Series]]'' || August 15, 2006 |
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|} |
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===Awards and nominations=== |
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<!--DO NOT ADD ALBUM/SONG related awards here. See Discography section--> |
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{| |
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|- |
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|'''Grammy Award winners'''<ref> [http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=yankovic&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Award Winners.] Retrieved December 1, 2006.</ref> |
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*"Fat" – [[Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video|Best Concept Music Video]] ([[Grammy Awards of 1989|1988]]) |
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|- |
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|'''Grammy Award nominees''' |
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*"Jurassic Park" – [[Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video|Best Music Video, Short Form]] ([[Grammy Awards of 1995|1994]]) |
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|- |
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|'''Australian gold long form videos'''<ref name="awards"/> |
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*''[["Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection|The Ultimate Video Collection]]'' |
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|- |
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|'''U.S. gold long form videos'''<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.weirdal.com/awards.htm |title="Weird Al" Yankovic: Awards|accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref><ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=RIAA Searchable Database|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> |
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*''[[The "Weird Al" Yankovic Video Library]]'' |
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*''[[Alapalooza: The Videos]]'' |
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*''[["Weird Al" Yankovic Live!]]'' |
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*''[[Bad Hair Day: The Videos]]'' |
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|- |
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|'''U.S. platinum long form videos'''<ref name="awards"/><ref name="riaa"/> |
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*''The Ultimate Video Collection'' |
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|} |
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===Cameos and special appearances in film=== |
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<!-- This is for released films and long form videos. Television appearances should be listed in the TV appearances section.--> |
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* 1988: ''[[Tapeheads]]'' |
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* 1988: ''[[The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!]]'' |
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* 1991: ''[[Parker Lewis Can't Lose]]'' |
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* 1991: ''[[The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear]]'' |
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* 1992: ''The Case: Off the Record (a [[Mathnet]] segment from the television program, [[Square One TV]]) |
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* 1994: ''[[Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult]]'' |
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* 1996: ''[[Spy Hard]]'' |
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* 1997: ''[[Safety Patrol (film)|Safety Patrol]]'' |
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* 1997: ''[[Eek! The Cat|Eek! Stravaganza]]'' |
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* 1998: ''[[Nothing Sacred (TV series)|Nothing Sacred]]'' |
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* 2002: ''Desperation Boulevard'' |
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* 2002: ''[[The Brak Show]]'' |
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* 2003: ''[[The Simpsons]]'' |
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* 2003: ''[[Haunted Lighthouse]]'' |
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* 2003: ''[[Lilo & Stitch: The Series]]'' |
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* 2006: ''[[Ren & Stimpy|Ren & Stimpy The Lost Episodes]]'' |
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* 2006: ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' |
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* 2007- ''[[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!]]'' |
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* 2008: ''[[Nerdcore Rising (film)|Nerdcore Rising]]'' |
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* 2008 - 2009: ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' |
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* 2009: ''[[Halloween II (2009 film)|Halloween II]]'' |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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Space Ghost: Coast to Coast (1999) |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons category}} |
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*[http://www.weirdal.com/ Official website] |
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*[http://www.youtube.com/alyankovic Official Youtube profile] |
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*{{imdb name|id=0946148|name="Weird Al" Yankovic}} |
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*{{musicbrainz artist|id=7746d775-9550-4360-b8d5-c37bd448ce01|name="Weird Al" Yankovic}} |
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*[http://weirdal.wikia.com/ Weird Al Wiki] |
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*[http://www.alsongs.com/ Weird Al Songs and Lyrics] |
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*[http://twitter.com/alyankovic/ "Weird Al" Yankovic official Twitter] |
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*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Weird-Al-Yankovic/20280022298/ "Weird Al's" official Facebook] |
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*[http://www.alsbrain.com/weird/index.html "Al's Brain" Official website] |
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{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}} |
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{{featured article}} |
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<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
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{{Persondata |
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|NAME=Yankovic, "Weird Al" |
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic |
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION=American [[musician]], [[satire|satirist]], [[parody|parodist]], [[accordion]]ist, and [[television producer]] |
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|DATE OF BIRTH=October 23, 1959 |
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|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Downey, California]] |
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|DATE OF DEATH= |
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|PLACE OF DEATH= |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Yankovic, Weird Al}} |
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[[Category:1959 births]] |
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[[Category:"Weird Al" Yankovic]] |
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[[Category:American Christians]] |
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[[Category:American accordionists]] |
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[[Category:American comedy musicians]] |
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[[Category:American male singers]] |
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[[Category:American music video directors]] |
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[[Category:American novelty song performers]] |
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[[Category:American satirists]] |
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[[Category:American singer-songwriters]] |
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[[Category:American vegans]] |
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[[Category:American vegetarians]] |
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[[Category:American voice actors]] |
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[[Category:English Americans]] |
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[[Category:Italian Americans]] |
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[[Category:Serbian Americans]] |
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[[Category:California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo alumni]] |
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[[Category:Grammy Award winners]] |
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[[Category:Parodists]] |
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[[Category:Parody musicians]] |
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[[Category:Polka musicians]] |
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[[Category:People from Lynwood, California]] |
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[[ar:"ويرد أل" يانكوفيك]] |
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[[ko:위어드 알 얀코빅]] |
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[[sr:„Откачени Ал“ Јанковић]] |
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Revision as of 21:39, 7 October 2009
"Weird Al" Yankovic |
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Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (Template:PronEng; born October 23, 1959, died February 24, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, actor, comedian, and satirist. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since his first-aired song parody in 1979, he has sold more than 12 million albums—more than any other comedy act in history—[1] recorded more than 150 parody and original songs,[2][3][4] and has performed more than 1,000 live shows.[5] His works have earned him three Grammy Awards among nine nominations, four gold records, and six platinum records in the United States. He shot himself in the dome with a handgun in 1987.
In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own film, UHF, and his own television show, The Weird Al Show, and directed music videos for himself and other artists including Ben Folds, Hanson, and The Presidents of the United States of America. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in his own Al TV specials.
Biography
Early life
The only child of Nick Yankovic (June 4, 1917–April 9, 2004, an American of Yugoslav descent),[6] and Mary Elizabeth (née Vivalda; February 7, 1923–April 9, 2004, an American of Italian and English descent), Alfred was born in Downey, California, and raised in the town of Lynwood.[6] Nick was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and began living in California after serving during World War II.[7][8] He believed "the key to success" was "doing for a living whatever makes you happy" and often reminded his son of this philosophy.[7] Nick married Mary Vivalda in 1949. Mary, who had come to California from Kentucky, gave birth to Alfred ten years later.[7]
Al's first accordion lesson, which sparked his career in music, was on October 22, 1966, a day before his seventh birthday. A door-to-door salesman traveling through Lynwood offered the Yankovic parents a choice of accordion or guitar lessons at a local music school. Yankovic claims the reason his parents chose accordion over guitar was "They figured there should be at least one more accordion-playing Yankovic in the world," referring to Frankie Yankovic, to whom he is no relation.[7] He continued lessons at the school for three years before continuing to learn on his own.[6] Yankovic's early accordion role models include Frankie Yankovic and Myron Floren (the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show). In the 1970s, Yankovic was a big fan of Elton John and claims John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album "was partly how I learned to play rock 'n roll on the accordion."[7] He would repeatedly play the album and try to play along on his accordion. As for his influences in comedic and parody music, Yankovic lists artists including Tom Lehrer, Stan Freberg, Spike Jones, Allan Sherman, Shel Silverstein and Frank Zappa "and all the other wonderfully sick and twisted artists that he was exposed to through the Dr. Demento Radio Show."[6][9] Other sources of inspiration for his comedy come from Mad magazine,[7] Monty Python,[10] and the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker parody movies.[11]
Yankovic began kindergarten a year earlier than most children, and he skipped the second grade. "My classmates seemed to think I was some kind of rocket scientist so I was labeled a nerd early on," he recalls.[7] As his unusual schooling left him two years younger than most of his classmates, Yankovic was not interested in sports or social events at school. He claims to have been a straight-A student throughout high school, which earned him the honor of becoming valedictorian of his senior class.[7] Yankovic was fairly active in his school's extracurricular programs, including the National Forensic League (in which he "usually brought home some kind of trophy"), a play based upon Rebel Without a Cause, the yearbook program (for which he wrote most of the captions), and the Volcano Worshipper's Club, "which did absolutely nothing. We started the club just to get an extra picture of ourselves in the yearbook."[7]
Dr. Demento, "My Bologna" and early fame
In 1976, Yankovic, then a high school senior, sent a homemade tape to Dr. Demento, the host of a comedy radio program.[7] The tape's first song was "Belvedere Cruisin'," about his family's Plymouth Belvedere; another song included on the tape (which never received airtime) was "Dr. D Superstar", a parody of the title song from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.[12] Demento said "'Belvedere Cruising' might not have been the very best song I ever heard, but it had some clever lines [...] I put the tape on the air immediately."[7] Yankovic also played at local coffeehouses saying,
It was sort of like amateur music night, and a lot of people were like wannabe Dan Fogelbergs. They'd get up on stage with their acoustic guitar and do these lovely ballads. And I would get up with my accordion and play the theme from '2001.' And people were kind of shocked that I would be disrupting their mellow Thursday night folk fest.[13]
During Yankovic's sophomore year as an architecture student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he became a disc jockey at the university's radio station, KCPR. Yankovic said he had been nicknamed "Weird Al" by fellow students and "took it on professionally" as his persona for the station.[7] In 1978, he released his first recording (as Alfred Yankovic), "Take Me Down", on the LP, Slo Grown, as a benefit for the Economic Opportunity Commission of San Luis Obispo County. The song mocked famous nearby landmarks such as the fountain toilets at the Madonna Inn.
In mid-1979, shortly before his senior year, "My Sharona" by The Knack was on the charts and Yankovic took his accordion into the restroom across the hall from the radio station (to take advantage of the echo chamber acoustics) and recorded a parody entitled "My Bologna". He sent it to Dr. Demento, who played it to good response from listeners. Yankovic met The Knack after a show at his college, and introduced himself as the author of "My Bologna". The Knack's lead singer, Doug Fieger, said he liked the song and suggested that Capitol Records vice president Rupert Perry release the song as a single.[7] "My Bologna" was released as a single with "School Cafeteria" as its B-side, and the label gave Yankovic a six-month recording contract. Yankovic, who was "only getting average grades" in his architecture degree, began to realize that he might make a career of comedic music.[7]
On September 14, 1980, Yankovic was a guest on the Dr. Demento Show, where he was to record a new parody live. The song was called "Another One Rides the Bus," a parody of Queen's hit, "Another One Bites the Dust." While practicing the song outside the sound booth, he met Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, who told him he was a drummer and agreed to bang on Yankovic's accordion case to help Yankovic keep a steady beat during the song. They rehearsed the song just a few times before the show began.[7] "Another One Rides the Bus" became so popular that Yankovic's first television appearance was a performance of the song on the The Tomorrow Show (April 21, 1981) with Tom Snyder. On the show, Yankovic played his accordion, and again, Schwartz banged on the accordion case and provided comical sound effects.
The band and fame
1981 brought Yankovic on tour for the first time as part of Dr. Demento's stage show. His stage act in a Phoenix, Arizona, nightclub caught the eye of manager Jay Levey, who was "blown away".[7] Levey asked Yankovic if he had considered creating a full band and doing his music as a career. Yankovic admitted that he had, so Levey held auditions. Steve Jay became Yankovic's bass player, and Jay's friend Jim West played guitar. Schwartz continued on drums. Yankovic's first show with his new band was on March 31, 1982.[5] Several days later, Yankovic and his band were the opening act for Missing Persons. The unimpressed audience threw items at the group, and they were booed off the stage.
Yankovic recorded "I Love Rocky Road" (a parody of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" as recorded by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts) in 1982. Due to the influence of his new producer, Rick Derringer, it managed to become a hit on Top 40 radio, leading to Yankovic's signing with Scotti Brothers Records. In 1983, Yankovic's first self-titled album was released on Scotti Bros. He released his second album "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D in 1984. The first single "Eat It", a parody of the Michael Jackson song "Beat It", became quite popular, thanks in part to the music video, a shot-for-shot parody of Jackson's "Beat It" music video, and to Yankovic's self-styled "uncanny resemblance" to Jackson. Peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Eat It" remained Yankovic's highest-charting single until "White & Nerdy" placed at number 9 in October 2006.
In 1985, Yankovic co-wrote and starred in a mockumentary of his own life entitled The Compleat Al, which intertwined the facts of his life up to that point with fiction. The movie also featured some clips from Yankovic's trip to Japan and some clips from the Al TV specials. The Compleat Al was co-directed by Jay Levey, who would direct UHF four years later. Also released around the same time as The Compleat Al was The Authorized Al, a biographical book based on the film. The book, resembling a scrapbook, included real and fictional humorous photographs and documents.
Yankovic and his band toured as the opening act for The Monkees in mid-1987 for their second reunion tour of North America. Yankovic claims to have enjoyed touring with The Monkees, despite the fact "the promoter gypped us out of a bunch of money."[14]
Yankovic also appeared on the Wendy Carlos recording of Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" as the narrator in 1988. The album also included a sequel of Camille Saint-Saëns's composition The Carnival of the Animals entitled the "Carnival of the Animals Part II", with Yankovic providing humorous poems for each of the featured creatures in the style of Ogden Nash, who had written humorous poems for the original. Rubén Valtierra joined the band on keyboards in 1991, allowing Yankovic to concentrate more on singing and increasing his use of the stage space during concerts.
A factual biographical booklet of Yankovic's life, written by Dr. Demento, was released with the 1994 box set compilation Permanent Record: Al in the Box.[7] The Dr. Demento Society, which issues yearly Christmas re-releases of material from Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes, often includes unreleased tracks from Yankovic's vaults, such as "Pacman", "It's Still Billy Joel To Me" or the live version of "School Cafeteria".
New look, personal life, and career to present
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Weirdalclassic.jpg/220px-Weirdalclassic.jpg)
Death He blew his brains out in the 80's
- ^ Harrington, Richard. "Weird Al's Imitation: A Funky Form of Flattery". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Weird Al Yankovic's latest send-ups on The Catch-up". Retrieved 2007-03-14.
- ^ ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Catalog". Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Biographies". Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- ^ a b ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Live Performances". Retrieved 2006-11-10.
- ^ a b c d ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Demento, Dr. (September 27, 1994). Liner notes, Permanent Record. Scotti Bros. ISBN B00000I029.
{{cite book}}
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value: invalid character (help) Cite error: The named reference "booklet" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ "Autopsy confirms Yankovic parents died from carbon monoxide poisoning". San Diego Union Tribune. April 12, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
- ^ ""Weird Al" Yankovic on MySpace". Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ %5bPlay%5d ""Weird Al" Yankovic interview by Spoonman on Triple M Australia". Retrieved 2007-04-02.
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for April, 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Rare Items: UNLABELED TAPE". Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
- ^ "The clown prince of song parodies.", The Star-Ledger, August 10, 2007. p14.
- ^ ""Ask Al" Q&As for November, 1998". Retrieved 2007-06-05.