World of Weird Al Yankovic

"WEIRD AL" YANKOVIC parodies pop culture through his music and videos. Some of his most popular hits include "Eat It" (a parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It"), "Like A Surgeon" (Madonna's "Like A Virgin") and "Yoda" (his Star Wars parody).
    The first time I worked with Al was at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island on July 21, 1997. I got a last minute phone call from Entertainment Director Jason Stone asking me to appear as Al's opening act that night. I was asked to perform a 20 minute show in front of, what could have been, a tough crowd of 1800 New York kids between the age of 8 and 18, and some of their parents. I have to admit that I was nervous as all Hell! I had heard horror stories about other comedians who tried to warm up Al's audiences. In fact, that night at the Westbury Music Fair, everyone backstage was telling me about another comic I know (who happens to be very talented) who opened for Al the last time he was at Westbury. The guy lasted about five minutes. The kids hated him and kept yelling at him during his show. He freaked out and walked off stage, out the side door of the theater and into his car. He drove off without even asking to be paid. That was certainly a warm and fuzzy story to hear before I had to perform.
    I decided to approach the audience as if they were all adults. I felt that if I talked down to the kids in the crowd they would turn on me. I also copped a hard-edged New York attitude and  I had a great show. There were some people yelling things out occasionally during my set but I was able to put them in their place and the audience loved it. My strategy worked and I couldn't have been more relieved.
    I worked two more dates with Al in 1999, one at Westbury (again) in August and another at the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania a couple of weeks later. I remembered well how to perform for his audiences and had two more terrific shows. As usual, the audiences got a bit rowdy but i handled them with absolute ease!
    I have an incredible respect for Al and his work. I have never seen an entertainer get from an audience what Al gets from his. His audiences range in age from 8 years old to 40 or so, mostly the younger M.T.V. age. He is a master showman and his concerts are more than just concerts, they are events! During Al's frequent costume changes, hilarious video tapes of him are shown on the one or more large screens set up around the theater. There's always something high-energy going on during his show and the people get swept up into the excitement of it.
    "Weird Al" surrounded himself with four talented musicians who were rather theatrical during the entire show. When I worked with him in 1999, Ruben ws the keyboard player and Steve was one of the two guitarists. Rich, I think, is the name of the other guitarist and John is the drummer. Nice guys. I never really got to converse with Al other than saying "hello" and "good show". He seemed like a pleasant enough guy.

scottidog @ Aug 9 2005, 01:32 AM wrote: That brings up the question of why it's so tough to open for Al. Are his fans ruder than other fans? I find that hard to believe. It can't be because they don't appreciate humor. So what is it? I have my own idea, but I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks.

Driew_La_27 @ Aug 9 2005, 02:35 AM wrote: The way I look at, I'd much rather listen to someone tell jokes for 20 minutes than sit there and "tiddle" my thumbs.

Akrovak @ Aug 9 2005, 06:39 AM wrote: ...We know Weird Al is behind that curtain ... we just know it! We've traveled miles to see him, have been waiting for the concert for a very long time, and all we really want to see is Al perform....