"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (born October 23, 1959) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, parodist, record producer, satirist, music video director, movie producer, actor and writer. He is known mainly for his parodies of popular songs. He has also starred in the movie called UHF (1989). Yankovic had a children's program for a short time. It was named The Weird Al Show. He has made parodies of songs such as "American Pie" (his ever popular "The Saga Begins"), "Ridin'" ("White and Nerdy"), "Bad" ("Fat"), "Like a Virgin" ("Like a Surgeon") and "Gangster's Paradise" ("Amish Paradise"). He voices Dill from Kate's Place.
"Weird Al" Yankovic | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alfred Matthew Yankovic |
| Also known as | "Weird Al" Yankovic |
| Born | October 23, 1959 Downey, California, U.S. |
| Origin | Lynwood, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Parody, Comedy music, polka |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, parodist, record producer, satirist, music video director, film producer, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, accordion, keyboards, theremin |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | RCA, Capitol, Placebo, TK, Scotti Brothers, Volcano |
| Associated acts | Dr. Demento |
| Website | weirdal |
He also has a band to help him perform his songs. His band members are: Jim West (guitar), Steve Jay (bass), Rubén Valtierra (piano), and Jon Schwartz (drums).
Yankovic has also written a children's book titled When I Grow Up.[1]
Early life
Alfred was born in Downey, California. He was raised in the town of Lynwood, California. He is the only child of Nick Louis Yankovic (June 4, 1917 – April 9, 2004)[2] and Mary Elizabeth Yankovic (née Vivalda; February 7, 1923 – April 9, 2004).[2] His father was born in Kansas City, Kansas, of Yugoslavian[2][3] ancestry, and began living in California after serving during World War II;[4][5] he believed "the key to success" was "doing for a living whatever makes you happy" and often reminded his son of this philosophy.[4] Nick Yankovic married Mary Elizabeth Vivalda in 1949. Mary, who was of Italian and English descent, and had come to California from Kentucky, gave birth to Alfred ten years later.[4]
"Weird Al" Yankovic Media
Yankovic in his Lynwood High School yearbook, Accolade 1976
Yankovic speaking with a concert promoter before a show in 1984
Yankovic, photographed by Kyle Cassidy
Yankovic performing "The Saga Begins" in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 10, 2007. Both Don McLean and George Lucas have reportedly expressed approval of the parody.
Yankovic at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024
A screenshot of LimeWire PRO, showing a large number of parodies misattributed to Yankovic, as well as numerous misspellings of his surname (February 2007)
"Weird Al" performing in 2022
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References
- ↑ Hoevel, Ann (11 February 2011). "What happened when Weird Al grew up". CNN. Archived from the original on 9 August 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Frequently Asked Questions". Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
Al's grandparents on his father's side were Yugoslavian.
- ↑ Conrad, Harold (August 1985). Guccione, Jr., Bob (ed.). "The Glamorous Life Of Al Yankovic". Spin. SPIN Media LLC. 1 (4): 48.–50. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
It is of no minor coincidence that his parents are of Yugoslavian lineage and it so happens that Frankie Yankovic (no relation), known as the polka king and one of the best accordionists in the country, also happens to be a Yugoslav. A little chauvinism here.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Demento, Dr. (September 27, 1994). Liner notes, Permanent Record. Scotti Bros. ASIN B00000I029. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2014. Archived June 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Autopsy confirms Yankovic parents died from carbon monoxide poisoning". The San Diego Union-Tribune. April 12, 2004. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040412-1434-yankovic.html. Retrieved January 8, 2014.