Culture
Weird Al Yankovic talks packing arenas, key parodies, MTV stardom, band unity, 42 years touring Ohio
By: Ian Saint
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WOUB) — When California Polytechnic architecture graduate Alfred Yankovic visited Manhattan this summer, it wasn’t for skyscraper construction. “Weird Al” sold out Manhattan’s largest venue, telling WOUB, “I’ll be playing My Bologna at Madison Square Garden and think, ‘this is the song I recorded in my college bathroom.’ It’s crazy.”
Yankovic’s Bigger & Weirder Tour features an expanded band and production accompanying him, taking him to venues like Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corner Rd.) on Saturday, Columbus’ Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.) on Sunday, and Newport, KY’s MegaCorp Pavilion (101 W. 4th St.) on September 16.
Al spoke with WOUB’s Ian Saint beforehand. A transcript of their conversation, edited for length and clarity, follows.
Ian Saint: Hi, Al. I’m in Nashville, for Anzie Blue’s Diane Warren event. Diane says “Hello.”
Weird Al Yankovic: Oh, I love her. She’s great.
You parodied her Milli Vanilli hit for The Plumbing Song. Your parodies boast many significant co-writers, like Diane. Which are the most surreal?
Yankovic: The one that still blows my mind is Michael Jackson, when he agreed to releasing Eat It, because I was just this goofy kid from LA, making these stupid songs. My first album (sold) just barely enough for the record company to pull the trigger on another album. When we approached Michael Jackson, it was a Hail Mary pass. We really didn’t think he’d even respond, but he (did). There is a contract with my signature next to Michael Jackson’s signature, saying we are the co-writers of Eat It, which is crazy.
Before headlining Blossom, you played there in 1987 supporting The Monkees’ reunion tour.
Yankovic: I love The Monkees, and that seemed like a good pairing. It’s the only time I’ve ever toured as somebody’s opening act. (Regarding) Blossom, I’m very excited to be coming back.
In a 1996 issue of your Midnight Star fanzine, Gideon Haberkorn asked “Where does your inspiration come from?” You replied, “Cleveland.” Still true?
Yankovic: Sure! I’m sure that was a funny non-sequitur, but Cleveland does mean a lot to me. It’s the heart of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the area that (made) Frankie Yankovic famous. People assume he’s my dad or uncle — same last name, both playing the accordion — but we couldn’t find a direct blood relation.
Cleveland’s Agora was one of the first 10 venues you played outside California. What do you remember of that very first tour, in 1983?
Yankovic: I definitely remember the picture (we) took in front of the Agora neon sign — playing the Agora was a big deal. The first tour was minimal. The first date, something like 13 people showed. We were just trying to figure out how to do a live show and be a touring band. We started as Dr. Demento’s opening act. Eat It became a huge hit during our 1984 tour; suddenly, the billing reversed — “Weird Al” Yankovic, featuring Dr. Demento.” That’s how this business works, I guess.
What’s it like to headline Blossom in 2025 with the same band — just expanded — you had at The Agora in 1983?
Yankovic: I don’t take it for granted. Not only are they some of the best musicians in the world; they’re down to Earth, no drama, normal guys. Our Behind The Music (episode) was boring, because there were no big blow-outs. We’re friends, and they’re fine with doing ridiculous things on stage. I feel very lucky to maintain those relationships, and look around on stage and see the same guys I saw for the last 40-plus years.
This is the first you’re touring Ricky, your very first music video — months after MTV’s launch. What did you think of this nascent format? You were so young, but seem like a natural.
Yankovic: I’m a natural goofball, so it was easy. There was no money. I think the budget was $3,000 — everybody was doing favors, and we found somebody’s house in The Valley to shoot in. MTV was brand-new. They were hungry for material; anybody that had a video, “of course, we’ll put it on the air.” I’m told Ricky was the first comedy music video MTV ever played.
Pat Benatar told me she could grocery shop with multimillion-selling records before MTV; but within 10 days of MTV playing her, she couldn’t. What was your experience?
Yankovic: (This) sounds cliché, but it really was overnight fame. I totally remember right after Eat It went into MTV’s heavy rotation, I suddenly went from being anonymous to recognizable. Overnight, “Look, it’s the Eat It guy! What’s he doing here?” (laugh) It was a very weird transition, but I got used to it after a couple decades. I still go to the grocery store; I just assume people are going to be pointing or looking at me.
Neil Giraldo is an Ohio native, who talked about fellow Ohio native Rick Derringer elevating his career before he joined Pat. Rick produced your first six albums. What was Rick like?
Yankovic: Rick was cool. He produced my first album on spec, because we didn’t have a record deal; he was like, “okay, here’s a deal if you happen to get signed.” I felt so grateful to have him in the studio. He’s a rock god, obviously. He tracked a lot of the guitar solos on the first couple albums.
This always sticks in mind: how passionate Rick was about his playing. He did the Eat It Eddie Van Halen solo. I remember he was bone-dry when he started playing, and drenched in sweat when finished — the solo lasts 25 seconds. That guy put everything into every note of that solo.
You’re also live-premiering original songs. It’s got to be rewarding, watching arena crowds respond to a 30-year-old original song like Everything You Know Is Wrong.
Yankovic: Absolutely. This is sort of my Eras Tour. We’re playing all the hits, so even casual fans will enjoy. But we’re also appealing to hardcore fans that have been with me for decades, playing deep cuts. Everything You Know Is Wrong is a fan favorite I’ve always loved, but felt we couldn’t pull off — we needed to expand the band. Now we have somebody doing the baritone sax solo. We have more singers. It’s hard — when I (sang) it in the studio, I could do it without taking breaths.
Which parodies are most enjoyable to resurrect?
Yankovic: The Star Wars encore is always a treat. White and Nerdy is ostensibly my biggest hit, and always gets a huge reaction — it’s fun to ride the Segway. They’re all fun. The Fat suit may be my least favorite, because it’s not the most comfortable costume; but it gets a huge reaction, so it’s well worth doing.