He has also done a great deal to advance the cause of accordion-wielding weirdos, for which we can all be thankful. After the astounding success of that song, forever to be known as the 'bathroom recording' as it was recorded in the acoustically perfect mens' room, Al began his phenomenal career, which has spanned twelve albums, numerous compilations, a box set, movies, videos and edible underwear. Demento in the past, it was at Cal Poly where he recorded his first real published piece, a parody of the popular 'My Sharona' by The Knack, called 'My Bologna'. It was at Cal Poly that Al had a radio show and earned the nickname 'Weird Al'. After an extraordinary career at Lynwood High School, where Al graduated as valedictorian, he attended the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to study architecture, a field he is said to have chosen because it was listed first in the catalog (although he has said that he really chose it on the advice of a guidance counselor). Demento', which would later become a great source of publicity for his talents. He became especially acquainted with these musicians through the radio show of Barry Hansen, aka 'Dr. He also became a fan of such musician/comedians as Allan Sherman and Spike Jones. As a child and young teen, Al watched a lot of television, which gave him much inspiration for his later work. His parents decided on the accordion because of polka king Frankie Yankovic (no relation). He first took up the accordion when a salesman came around to solicit business for a music school. He is of Yugoslavian, Italian, and English descent.

Demento Radio Show - would go on to become a pop culture icon and the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time, with classic song and music video parodies such as 'Eat It,' 'Like a Surgeon,' 'Smells Like Nirvana,' 'Amish Paradise,' 'White & Nerdy' and 'Word Crimes.' Now in his fourth decade as America's foremost song parodist, he has been honored with four Grammy® Awards and fifteen nominations, including a 2015 win for his 14th studio album Mandatory Fun.Īlfred Matthew Yankovic was born on October 23, 1959, in the Los Angeles suburb of Lynwood, to Mary Elizabeth (Vivalda) and Nick Louis Yankovic. Few would have guessed that 'Weird Al' Yankovic - who as a shy, accordion-playing teenager got his start sending in homemade tapes to the Dr.

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