2002 Weird Al Yankovic Biography (Up to 1984)

His early life in Lynwood, going to college at Cal Poly, and his first two albums with some rare footage.
Has interviews with his parents Nick and Mary (some of their last before they passed away 2 years later), his teachers, childhood friends, and Dr. Demento.
Also highlights some struggles he and the band had in their early career, like opening for Missing Persons in 1982 and how the new wave crowd didn't take too well to them!

[@kaymuldoon3575]

“He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life.” - Homer Simpson

[@Malkmusianful]

i love how weird al has so much of a controversy-free life that he told the documentarians on both this and Behind the Music to exaggerate minor inconveniences (like the misspelled sign and the kid who told him that he sucked) and paint them as big moments for him

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

No wonder Al is such a superb wordsmith, he is a genius after all. What is nice to know is that he came from a good supportive family so he was raised well and it shows in the way he relates to people and his respectful attitude towards others.

[@on2wheels378]

His parent's died tragically. RIP Al's parents. Gone far too soon.

[@RampantArtist]

wtf... why wouldn't you at least say HOW?

[@on2wheels378]

Carbon Monoxide poisoning in Fallbrook Ca, in t heir retirement home. Tragic.

[@brideofsnape2046]

@@on2wheels378 Yep, a malfunctioning heater, I think. Heartbreaking, such sweet people.

[@Thunda1986]

He proves what happens when you never give up

[@MountainFisher]

I listened to Al in the late 70's on Dr. Demento, been a fan since. I remember the Eat lt video. Am glad he's now an icon.

[@NewWaveEnthusiast]

I'm so proud of how far he's come, he deserves the success...all of it.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I suggested that my chiropractor play “living with a hernia” on his phone voice message and he said no.

[@4600norm]

That's a missed opportunity.

[@buildingwithtrees2258]

His dad seems really proud of him, I like that.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

This was definitely more interesting than I thought it was going to be. They forgot to mention that, although Al always gets the permission of the writers of the songs before doing a parody, he is not actually required to since a parody is considered a critique of sorts and is protected under the law.

[@MountainFisher]

Yes, but he cannot profit from it.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

I don't believe that's true, but you could be right. Any lawyers know the answer?

[@myworms]

I believe that it’s a shared credit. There’s a contractual negotiation with the copyright holder over percentages. I would imagine that it’s a good cut for Al nowadays, maybe not as much 30 years ago.

[@BigAL68xyz]

The law protects him from criminal charges, but getting the artists' permission helps protect him from civil lawsuits.

[@andrewcutts7416]

Although I had heard the name mentioned a few times over the years. I had no idea what Al did until I found a mint copy of The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic double CD on a local market stall in Leicester. I played it, and that was that. Totally hooked straight away. Since then I've been buying his albums, and hope to catch him on tour the next time he visit's the UK. The thing that I love apart from the obvious parody element, is the care that goes into every track. Al is a total genius, and I only wish that I'd found him earlier. A superb video, by the way .

[@ianpat2768]

Andrew Cutts been hooked for bout 30 years lol

[@54fourty6]

I am 33. Got into him in 3rd grade (1992) without even knowing most of the original songs he parodied. What I really love about him is the sheer musical skill him and his band has. It is hard to mimic tones and the feelings that are captured in a recording. Sometimes even for the same artist!

[@walteraprichard6456]

Andrew Cutts - I agree. Ive been a fan of his since the 80's.

[@weirdalfan1980]

They should do a remastered version of this like Behind the Music.. A lot has changed for Al since 2002.

[@ianpat2768]

UHF was an incredibly funny flick. I don't think it was critically acclaimed success, but they should have mentioned it.

[@AmberAmber]

Ian Pat xo Agreed 100%

[@AmberAmber]

Ian Pat Also, Spatulas. 🤓🤣🤣

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

They showed a few quick clips from the movie but didn't mention it. I remember laughing when I saw it in the theater (me, my friend and about 3 other people...). Definitely an underappreciated movie.

[@Machtyn]

Weird Al has stated he has ideas for UHF 2, but no one is willing to pony up the money for it to be made. In this day of crowdfunding, however, perhaps it could be made. Not very many people get my reference when I start saying, "I'm thinking of something blu-ue!"

[@CCRoxtar]

12:28 He sped up Queen to 45 to make it seem like the Vienna Boys' Choir was singing? Now that was one daring move!

[@xqa2736]

I love this dude...he's talented and humble. "Long Live Al!"

[@nirmalsuki]

The biggest music star in history....

[@randyisftw]

"Supercalifragic-expedaliocious" lmao

[@BigJDawg4523]

This is why he made the parody, "White and Nerdy", based on Chamillionaire's "Ridin' (Dirty)" song.

[@cathleendeal5379]

I think Al seriously would have made a good scientist or doctor because he really is a very smart and intelligent person but it's good he really did what he loves to do and it's good he followed his dream.

[@kylebarton778]

The man graduates early and is still valedictorian.

[@melaniewilliams31]

His name is Alfred Matthew Yankovic

[@rickhelbig630]

There's nothing wrong with nerds, I love knowledge.

[@theabrescia1955]

Yes, Nerds are a treasure! Bright, unique, innovative, humorous, and very loyal friends. My favorite people!

[@karlparry2998]

Weird AL Yankovic Rules!

[@firasharb1454]

Legend .

[@cheesemccheesy3850]

And half the story I have never seen weird Al like this

[@bigol9223]

Gotta respect it.

[@PlanetRockJesus]

Totally enjoyed this!

[@randysine752]

Weird Al Yankovic is the G.O.A.T!

[@cjpenning]

I always wanted to hear "My Candelabra" by Billy Squier

[@alcarre4195]

Excellent docu-bio.

[@robinwagner3293]

Incredible man.

[@heyyou9693]

You think Capital records would kick themselves after Scotti Brothers picked him up, and Eat It came out.

[@stevebeck7438]

Interesting and unintentionally funny to see the late Jake Hooker (RIP) at about 29 minutes in talk pompously about writing "I Love Rock N Roll" (he was just a co-writer on the Arrows song but never mentions that, see Vive Le Rock magazine Nov-Dec. 2016 6th anniversary issue for more details) and his "giving permission for Al to use the song" (he doesn't have the right, RAK publishing owned by Mickie Most are the only ones authorized to give permission for the song's usage), they own the copyright, they still do.

[@JPMcFly1985]

That's true, he did seem a little arrogant, though I'm glad in the end he had a sense of humor and let Al do it. Its unfortunate that he's since died, I didn't know that.

[@stevebeck7438]

Jake Hooker didn't "let Al do it", the song's publishing company RAK gave the rights after conferring with the song's actual writer Alan Merrill. Jake had no control over these things but gave the impression in interviews that he controlled the rights to the song. An absurd pompous fallacy. It's a pity Jake is dead but he did spin a lot of wild tales while he was here.

[@pdubzpyro]

*He’s not still a nerd?*

[@Lexilove2016]

Al is as old as my grandma.

[@cheesemccheesy3850]

Dom the Bomb he is 59

[@tischfundaro2356]

weird al yakovic i ilke

[@warlock4354]

Cool groovy

[@spacewarpphotography1667]

Holy cow this is an obnoxious visual production! Is it too much to ask that the camera settle down for five seconds?!

[@Season411]

I hate the way this was edited, there's a different song playing every 6 seconds

[@Krizefugl]

he should have named his first album AL-bum instead of Weird Al :D

[@pattystomper1]

11:04 Did he say "Baloney-um"?

[@BroForce426]

pattystomper1 it’s actually polonium but I misheard it as well

[@SkyeID]

I thought Weird Al's family were practicing Jews..

[@54fourty6]

Missing Persons is NOT a punk band. The people in the audience were NOT punks, but late coming posers who were tired of disco. Basically people with no discernable music taste of their own.

[@daveholland6293]

Would real punks have been as rude to Al and his band lol?

[@kain0067]

VH1: pioneer of the ADHD jump cuts, creator of the ADHD epidemic

[@MLBlue30]

One of the Whitest, nerdiest upbringings ive ever seen, thank God he found comedy and music instead of something negative.

[@theperfectbastard451]

I always thought Weird Al was Jewish, because of the Jewfro. Go figure.