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“Weird Al” Yankovic: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour

Concert Hall

America’s foremost song parodist brings his Grammy Award®-winning humor.

Please note, VIP packages are no longer available.

Wed. Oct. 19, 2022

Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 8p.m.

Upcoming Dates

Price Range

$39.00 – $329.00

Presenting Sponsor

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard ’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Legendary comedian Emo Philips has performed over 7000 stand-up comedy shows across the globe, including a two-week theater run in London’s West End. Career highlights include his acclaimed comedy album E=MO Squared and the hour-long HBO special Emo Philips Live at the Hasty Pudding Theatre . Emo is especially proud, however, of when he got to demonstrate the proper use of a table saw to Weird Al in the film UHF .

VIP Packages View Less

VIP Packages

Please note, VIP packages are no longer available. Each package includes one (1) Premium Reserved ticket in the first 15 rows, plus:

Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity
Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs!
Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! – a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest. Register for the chance to be a contestant, or just play along from the audience (Shhh! No shouting answers!)
Pre-show Hang with fellow fans - including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
Collectible Weird Al Merchandise item
Souvenir VIP Laminate
Early Entry into the venue
Crowd-Free Merchandise Shopping
On-site VIP host

“Weird Al” 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. 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 the recipient of numerous awards, including five Grammys® (out of sixteen total nominations), and a string of Gold and Platinum albums.

Yankovic has remained active as a recording artist. Weird Al’s 14th studio album, the Grammy® Award-winning Mandatory Fun (2014), became the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and the first to even reach the top of that chart since 1963. Yankovic set the U.S. record on Spotify for having the most tracks from one album in the viral top 10 at one time, taking the top four spots. In addition, Word Crimes debuted in the Billboard Top 40, making Al one of only four artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades (the other three being Michael Jackson, Madonna and U2).

In addition to his cult-hit feature film UHF (1989), his late ‘90s CBS Saturday morning series The Weird Al Show and numerous AL-TV specials he has made for MTV and VH1 over the years, Yankovic has remained a staple of film and television, from appearances on The Simpsons, 30 Rock, The Goldbergs and How I Met Your Mother to performing live on the Primetime Emmy Awards® and starring in his own concert specials for Disney, VH, and Comedy Central.

Yankovic added “New York Times bestselling author” to his resumé in 2011 with the release of his children’s book, When I Grow Up (HarperCollins), followed two years later by My New Teacher and Me! An animated series based on his children’s books is currently being developed in partnership with the Jim Henson Company.

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"Weird Al" Yankovic: Unfortunate Return Of The Ill-Advised Vanity Tour

Featuring special guest emo philips.

Date Aug 09 , 2022
Event Starts 7:30 PM
Ticket Prices $100 | $77 | $57 | VIP: $332.50
On Sale On Sale Now
Location Diamonstein Concert Hall

Event Details

“Weird Al” Yankovic burst onto the scene over three decades ago and never looked back. For the second time in his storied career, the world’s foremost musical satirist and five-time Grammy winner foregoes his usual high-octane, big-production show for an intimate evening of music, focusing on original (non-parody) songs from his 14-album catalog. Marking his highly anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where Weird Al performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra, this is a rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with this legendary performer.

Additional Ticket Information

VIP Package: ($332.50)

One (1) Premium Reserved ticket in the first (15) rows, plus:

Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show.
Includes a signature (any one item of your choice) and a photo (with your camera)
Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs!
Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! – a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest. Register for the chance to be a contestant, or just play along from the audience (Shhh! No shouting answers!)
Pre-show Hang with fellow fans - including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
Collectible Weird Al Merchandise item
Souvenir VIP Laminate
Early Entry into the venue
Crowd-Free Merchandise Shopping
On-site VIP host

Weird Al Yankovic Announces Gigantic 133-Date 2022 U.S. Tour

Weird Al Yankovic has just announced a gigantic 133-date U.S. tour that’ll keep the parody master on the road from April to October 2022.

“I’ve loved doing every single incarnation of my live show, but honestly the 'Vanity' tour is the most fun I’ve ever had on stage,” Yankovic says, “so I’ve been dying to get back out there and torture everybody with it once again!”

Weird Al’s tour with opening comedian Emo Philips will begin in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on April 26 and visit a massive chunk of the United States before finishing up at Weird Al’s first-ever show at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall.

Tickets for the full tour go on sale Dec. 10 at 10AM local time. Click here to grab your tickets and see the full list of dates below.

Weird Al Yankovic 2022 North American Tour

APR. 26 - POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. @ BARDAVON OPERA HOUSE APR. 27 - ALBANY, N.Y. @ THE EGG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - KITTY CARLISLE HART THEATRE APR. 29 - NEW BEDFORD, Mass. @ ZEITERION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER APR. 30 - ORONO, Maine @ COLLINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS MAY 1 - HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. @ HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM MAY 3 - PORTLAND, Maine @ MERRILL AUDITORIUM MAY 4 - NEW LONDON, Ct. @ GARDE ARTS CENTER MAY 6 - MEDFORD, Mass @ CHEVALIER THEATRE MAY 7 - MEDFORD, Mass. @ CHEVALIER THEATRE MAY 8 - BURLINGTON, Vt. @ THE FLYNN MAY 10 - RIDGEFIELD, Ct. @ THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE MAY 11 - ROCHESTER, N.Y. @ KODAK CENTER MAY 14 - WILKES-BARRE, Pa. @ THE F.M. KIRBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS MAY 15 - ERIE, Pa. @ WARNER THEATRE MAY 17 - CANTON, Ohio @ CANTON PALACE THEATRE MAY 18 - SAGINAW, Mich. @ THE TEMPLE THEATRE MAY 20 - DETROIT, Mich. @ FISHER THEATRE MAY 21 - NASHVILLE, Ind. @ BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER MAY 22 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill. @ SANGAMON AUDITORIUM MAY 24 - MILWAUKEE, Wis. @ MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MAY 25 - EVANSVILLE, Ind. @ VICTORY THEATRE MAY 27 - PELHAM, Tenn. @ THE CAVERNS MAY 28 - PELHAM, Tenn. @ THE CAVERNS MAY 29 - NASHVILLE, Tenn. @ RYMAN AUDITORIUM MAY 31 - LITTLE ROCK, Ark. @ ROBINSON PERFORMANCE HALL JUNE 1 - TULSA, Okla. @ TULSA THEATER JUNE 3 - DENVER, Colo. @ ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE JUNE 4 - DENVER, Colo. @ ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE JUNE 5 - SALT LAKE CITY, Utah @ CAPITOL THEATRE JUNE 6 - BOISE, Idaho @ MORRISON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS JUNE 8 - LAS VEGAS, Nev. @ THE VENETIAN THEATRE JUNE 10 - LAS VEGAS, Nev. @ THE VENETIAN THEATRE JUNE 11 - LAS VEGAS, Nev. @ THE VENETIAN THEATRE JUNE 12 - RENO, Nev. @ SILVER LEGACY RESORT & CASINO - RENO BALLROOM JUNE 15 - SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. @ GOLDEN GATE THEATRE JUNE 16 - SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. @ GOLDEN GATE THEATRE JUNE 17 - LOS ANGELES, Calif. @ TO BE ANNOUNCED JUNE 18 - LOS ANGELES, Calif. @ TO BE ANNOUNCED JUNE 20 - SANTA BARBARA, Calif. @ GRANADA THEATRE JUNE 21 - BAKERSFIELD, Calif. @ FOX THEATRE JUNE 24 - SPOKANE, Wash. @ MARTIN WOLDSON THEATER AT THE FOX JUNE 25 - BEND, Ore. @ HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER JUNE 26 - PORTLAND, Ore. @ ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL JUNE 28 - SEATTLE, Wash. @ MOORE THEATRE JUNE 29 - SEATTLE, Wash. @ MOORE THEATRE JUNE 30 - EUGENE, Ore. @ HULT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - SILVA CONCERT HALL JULY 2 - VANCOUVER, British Columbia @ THE CENTRE JULY 4 - EDMONTON, Alberta @- WINSPEAR CENTRE JULY 5 - CALGARY, Alberta @ JACK SINGER CONCERT HALL JULY 6 - CALGARY, Alberta @ JACK SINGER CONCERT HALL JULY 8 - REGINA, Alberta @ CONEXUS ARTS CENTRE JULY 9 - SASKATOON, Saskatchewan @ TCU PLACE JULY 10 - WINNIPEG, Manitoba @ BURTON CUMMINGS THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS JULY 11 - DULUTH, Minn. @ SYMPHONY HALL JULY 14 - MADISON, Wis. @ OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS - OVERTURE HALL JULY 15 - CHICAGO, Ill. @ SYMPHONY CENTER - ORCHESTRA HALL JULY 16 - CHICAGO, Ill. @ SYMPHONY CENTER - ORCHESTRA HALL JULY 19 - CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa @ PARAMOUNT THEATRE JULY 20 - COLUMBIA, Mo. @ MISSOURI THEATRE JULY 22 - LINCOLN, Neb. @ LIED CENTER JULY 23 - MANKATO, Minn. @ MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM EVENT CENTER JULY 24 - MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. @ STATE THEATRE JULY 26 - ELKHART, Ind. @ THE LERNER THEATRE JULY 29 - LEWISTON, N.Y. @ ARTPARK MAINSTAGE THEATER JULY 30 - OTTAWA, Ontario @ NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE - SOUTHAM HALL AUG. 1 - TORONTO, Ontario @ DANFORTH MUSIC HALL AUG. 2 - TORONTO, Ontario @ DANFORTH MUSIC HALL AUG. 3 - WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. @ COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER - MARTIN THEATRE AUG. 5 - NORTHAMPTON, Mass. @ CALVIN THEATRE AUG. 6 - LANCASTER, Pa. @ AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE AUG. 7 - LANCASTER, Pa. @ AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE AUG. 9 - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. @ FERGUSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS AUG. 10 - RICHMOND, Va. @ DOMINION ENERGY CENTER - CARPENTER THEATRE AUG. 12 - WILMINGTON, N.C. @ WILSON CENTER AUG. 13 - CHARLOTTE, N.C. @ BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - BELK AUG. 14 - CHARLESTON, S.C. @ CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER AUG. 17 - KNOXVILLE, Tenn. @ TENNESSEE THEATRE AUG. 18 - GREENVILLE, S.C. @ PEACE CENTER AUG. 19 - HUNTSVILLE, Ala. @ VON BRAUN CENTER - MARK C. SMITH CONCERT HALL AUG. 20 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. @ ALABAMA THEATRE AUG. 22 - ASHLAND, Ky. @ PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTER AUG. 23 - DAYTON, Ohio @ BENJAMIN & MARIAN SCHUSTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AUG. 25 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. @ GLC LIVE AT 20 MONROE AUG. 26 - BENTON HARBOR, Mich. @ THE MENDEL CENTER AT LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE AUG. 28 - CHESTERFIELD, Mo. @ CHESTERFIELD AMPHITHEATER AUG. 30 - SPRINGFIELD, Mo. @ GILLIOZ THEATRE AUG. 31 - TOPEKA, Kan. @ TOPEKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SEPT. 1 - WICHITA, Kan. @ THE COTILLION SEPT. 2 - KANSAS CITY, Mo. @ KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS SEPT. 4 - MIDWEST CITY, Okla. @ HUDIBURG CHEVROLET CENTER AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE SEPT. 6 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. @ PIKES PEAK CENTER SEPT. 7 - GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. @ AVALON THEATRE SEPT. 9 - GREELEY, Colo. @ UNION COLONY CIVIC CENTER SEPT. 10 - SANTA FE, N.M. @ THE SANTA FE OPERA - THE CROSBY THEATRE SEPT. 11 - CHANDLER, Ariz. @ CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS SEPT. 13 - RIVERSIDE, Calif. @ FOX PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SEPT. 15 - PASO ROBLES, Calif. @ VINA ROBLES AMPHITHEATRE SEPT. 16 - TEMECULA, Calif. @ PECHANGA THEATER SEPT. 18 - THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. @ BANK OF AMERICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SEPT. 21 - SARATOGA, Calif. @ THE MOUNTAIN WINERY SEPT. 24 - DAVIS, Calif. @ ROBERT & MARGRIT MONDAVI CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS SEPT. 25 - SAN DIEGO, Calif. @ BALBOA THEATRE SEPT. 26 - SAN DIEGO, Calif. @ BALBOA THEATRE SEPT. 27 - TUCSON, Ariz. @ FOX TUCSON THEATRE SEPT. 29 - LUBBOCK, Texas @ HELEN DEVITT JONES THEATER SEPT. 30 - DALLAS, Texas @ MAJESTIC THEATRE OCT. 1 - HOUSTON, Texas @ CULLEN PERFORMANCE HALL OCT. 2 - AUSTIN, Texas @ AUSTIN CITY LIMITS LIVE AT THE MOODY THEATER OCT. 4 - SAN ANTONIO, Texas @ MAJESTIC THEATRE OCT. 6 - MEMPHIS, Tenn. @ GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE OCT. 7 - SHREVEPORT, La. @ THE STRAND THEATRE OCT. 8 - LAFAYETTE, La. @ HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OCT. 9 - PENSACOLA, Fla. @ SAENGER THEATRE OCT. 11 - MELBOURNE, Fla. @ KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OCT. 12 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. @ PARKER PLAYHOUSE OCT. 13 - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. @ PARKER PLAYHOUSE OCT. 15 - CLEARWATER, Fla. @ RUTH ECKERD HALL OCT. 16 - ORLANDO, Fla. @ DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - WALT DISNEY THEATRE OCT. 17 - ORANGE PARK, Fla. @ THRASHER-HORNE CENTER OCT. 19 - WASHINGTON, D.C. @ THE KENNEDY CENTER - CONCERT HALL OCT. 21 - ATLANTA, Ga. @ SYMPHONY HALL OCT. 22 - ATLANTA, Ga. @ SYMPHONY HALL OCT. 23 - RALEIGH, N.C. @ DUKE ENERGY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OCT. 25 - ROANOKE, Va. @ BERGLUND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OCT. 26 - PITTSBURGH, Va. @ CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL - ROSE AND GILT THEATRE OCT. 28 - PHILADELPHIA, Pa. @ KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS OCT. 29 - NEW YORK, N.Y. @ CARNEGIE HALL - STERN AUDITORIUM

78 Rock + Metal Artists Turned Into Funko Pop! Figures

"Weird Al" Yankovic

The unfortunate return of the ridiculously self-indulgent, ill-advised vanity tour, event details.

Almost four years after his first foray into unfamiliar concert territory with his highly-acclaimed Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, “Weird Al” Yankovic is pressing his luck again, this time with The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour. The tour marks Weird Al’s long-anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where he performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra. Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the same. As before, rather than focusing on the hits from his career, the show will feature Yankovic’s non-parody material – the somewhat more obscure pastiches and original songs that have largely escaped the pop culture radar but are adored by his long-time fans. And like the last Vanity Tour, he is leaving behind the high-octane theatrics that he’s known for and going bare-bones – no costumes, no props, no video screens… just Al and his band of almost four decades in smaller, more intimate venues, hanging out on stage, playing music. “Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Legendary comedian Emo Philips is Opening up for Weird Al and has performed over 7,000 stand-up comedy shows across the globe, including a two-week theater run in London’s West End. Career highlights include his acclaimed comedy album E=MO Squared and the hour-long HBO special Emo Philips Live at the Hasty Pudding Theatre. Emo is especially proud, however, of when he got to demonstrate the proper use of a table saw to Weird Al in the film UHF .

Additional Ticket Information

Effective immediately, July 12, 2022, please be advised that in keeping with the updated Covid-19 policies of venues across the country, “Weird Al” will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours. Masks are encouraged but not required.

"Weird Al" Yankovic

The unfortunate return of the ridiculously self-indulgent, ill-advised vanity tour with special guest emo philips.

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Event Details

”Weird Al” Yankovic burst onto the scene over three decades ago and never looked back. For the second time in his storied career, the world’s foremost musical satirist and five-time Grammy winner foregoes his usual high-octane, big-production show for an intimate evening of music, focusing on original (non-parody) songs from his 14-album catalog. Marking his highly anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where Weird Al performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra, this is a rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with this legendary performer.

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Legendary comedian Emo Philips has performed over 7,000 stand-up comedy shows across the globe, including a two-week theater run in London’s West End. Career highlights include his acclaimed comedy album E=MO Squared and the hour-long HBO special Emo Philips Live at the Hasty Pudding Theatre.

All 2 back-to-back Weird Al 2022 Vanity Tour shows will have a distinctly different set list. No songs will be repeated on either night. This will save you the worry of needing to purchase tickets twice. Fans who purchase a 2 Show Pass will automatically be given the same seat location for both nights.

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Join today or email [email protected] for more info.

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Options include complimentary parking or valet services starting at $25.00.

Dining and drink options , plus our preferred restaurants.

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Health & Safety

We have implemented a number of measures to ensure an enjoyable experience when you visit our campus. Our guidelines have been developed in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and have informed by guidance of public health officials including the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Review our Health & Safety Guidelines for full details and check this event page for updates.

Let us make your experience as easy and rewarding as possible. More info here .

VIP Meet & Greet (SOLD OUT)

VIP Meet & Greet Experience

One (1) Premium Reserved ticket in the first (15) rows, plus:
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity
Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs!
Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! – a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest. Register for the chance to be a contestant, or just play along from the audience (Shhh! No shouting answers!)
Pre-show Hang with fellow fans - including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
Collectible Weird Al Merchandise item
Souvenir VIP Laminate
Early Entry into the venue
Crowd-Free Merchandise Shopping
On-site VIP host

Ticket Policy

All dates, times, programs, artists and all ticket prices are subject to change at any time without notice. All ticket prices plus applicable service charges. All special offers cannot be combined with other discounts or previous purchases and certain restrictions. Everyone attending must have a ticket.

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic adds final Massachusetts stop to 2022 ‘Vanity Tour’

Published: Aug. 03, 2022, 7:33 a.m.
Heather Morrison | [email protected]

“Weird Al” Yankovic is coming to Massachusetts one last time on his “Vanity Tour.”

The newly added show is on Aug. 5 at Indian Ranch in Webster. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from about $44 to $334 with general admission being first come first serve. VIP tickets are also available and include aa meet and greet, Weird Al Jeopardy!, a collectible “Weird Al” item and more.

The tour is “scaled-down,” according to the website, meaning it doesn’t have costumes, propers or video screens. It is located in “more intimate settings” and the “setlist will be comprised almost entirely of his original (non-parody) songs.”

The tour, which started in April, has had multiple Massachusetts shows. This one, however, is the final one currently scheduled for the “Vanity Tour.”

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“Weird Al” Yankovich (born October 23, 1959) is a singer, songwriter, musician and foremost contributor to musical parody since Allan Sherman, hailing from Lynwood, California, U.S.

Yankovich’s earliest musical excursion came aged seven when he began playing the accordion in the wake of un-related polka star Frank Yankovich. Inspired by the comedic, musical delivery of the likes of Dr. Demento, Allan Sherman, Spike Jones, and Tom Lehrer, Yankovich gave a demo of his to Dr. Demento aged just 13. Three years later the musician made his radio debut on the Dr. Demento show with the single “Belvedere Cruising”, and found favour with the show’s fan base.

In 1979 after graduating from high school and enrolling at California Polytechnic State University to study architecture, Yankovich adopted the nickname “Weird Al”, and crafted the parodic track “My Bologna” inspired my the Knack’s hit single “My Sharona”. The Knack were so impressed by the satirical take of their song, they asked their label Capitol to issue it as a single, introducing “Weird Al” to a much wider audience. A year later after graduating from university, Yankovich released the song “Another One Rides the Bus” in a comedic remake of the famous Queen song “Another One Bites the Dust”. The song became an underground hit and led to the song “I Love Rocky Road”, a take on Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ hit “I Love Rock ’n Roll”.

Yankovich signed to Scotti Brothers in 1983, who issued the parodic musician’s debut album ““Weird Al” Yankovich” featuring the single “Ricky”, which became a staple on the growing MTV network. Yankovich’s use of the music video medium, unlike the likes of Spike Jones and Allan Sherman, allowed the musician an extra means of satire-infused communication. The parodist soon became known for his Hawaiian shirts, frizzy hair and goofy persona, later mocking the Michael Jackson video “Beat It” scene-for-scene in his Grammy-award winning remake “Eat It”.

Yankovich went on to release the parodies “King of Suede”, “I Lost on Jeopardy”, and “Polkas on 45”, before releasing the full-length “Dare to Be Stupid” in 1986. The album went gold like its predecessor, was the first comedy album to be released on compact disc, and featured the single “Like a Surgeon” – a take on Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. The musician’s subsequent album “Polka Party!” failed to achieve success unlike its platinum-selling successor “Even Worse” in 1988. The album which is in large part a satirical take on Michael Jackson’s hit “Bad”, saw Yankovich portrayed as a overweight tough guy and earned the parodist his second Grammy Award.

Yankovich kept a low profile for a number of years before returning in 1992 with the album “Off the Deep End”, which notably features the single “Smells Like Nirvana”. 1996 brought the subsequent album “Bad Hair Day” which spawned the singer’s most popular release to date, the single “Amish Paradise” in response to Coolio’s hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise”. The musician went on to release a string of albums into the new millennium including “Running with Scissors” in 1999, “Poodle Hat” in 2003, “Straight Outta Lynwood” in 2006, and “Alpocalypse” in 2011. Yankovich’s 14th studio album “Mandatory Fun” was promoted with eight video prior to its release and became the first comedy album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2014.

Live reviews

There is no one quite as hilarious to see live as Weird Al Yancovic. He will be sure to keep you rolling on the floor with laughter with his parody songs and crazy theatrical stage antics. Weird Al is a fun performer for all generations to see. He will keep the older audiences laughing with his renditions of Michael Jackson parodies such as “Fat” and “Eat It”, and he will keep the younger generations entertained with his side splitting hilarious parody of Pharrell Williams’ song, “Happy”, which is titled “Tacky”. Even though Weird Al recycles the same kind of formula in his parodies, his music is always relevant due to his keen observations on current pop culture, and the wacky absurdities of his songs, no matter how nonsensical they might be, can only make one laugh. His newer albums even contain songs that make references to older styles of music that will please his fans that don’t keep up with recent pop radio. His newest album contains a song in the musical style of the Pixies, and his previous album had a song in the musical style of The Doors labeled “Craigslist”.

During his performances Weird Al is known to play on his accordion, an instrument that he is quite talented at playing. His accordion is heavily featured on various songs including “Angry White Boy Polka”, which is a song consisting of a medley of different parodies. He has also been known to perform on other outlandish instruments such as a keytar, when playing parodies of 80’s music. Weird Al always dresses appropriately and obnoxiously for each song he is parodying. When performing the song “Fat” you will see him perform the song in a fat suit, and in the song “White and Nerdy” you will see him dressed in nerdy, gangster attire.

Weird Al is sure to perform his old and new material that will please all of his fans, and every word that comes out of his mouth is ensured to be presented in a way that will keep the audience laughing out of their seats.

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Humourist "Weird Al" Yankovic is a musician it is hard to grow tired of. His silliness doesn't get too overbearing, because it's always well-crafted, intelligently detailed and… well, funny.

"Weird Al" is a legitimately great comedian, so it's no surprise that he's been popular since the eighties, and, as a man in his fifties, still manages to get a buzz going among 20-somethings with his new project.

That project constitutes Weird Al releasing a brand new parody music video every day for eight days, with star-studded videos that satirise your least detested pop songs. Pharrell's "Happy" becomes "Tacky" in Weird Al's hands. Lorde's "Royals" becomes "Foil", an ode to aluminium.

It might be Weird Al's irreverence that makes him such an appealing comedian, and gives his oddness a certain coolness. Kurt Cobain adored Weird Al's parody video 'Smells like Nirvana', and his other fans include rock and roll royalty Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) and even the late King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Songwriter Don McLean loved Yankovic's rewriting of his classic song 'American Pie' into 'The Saga Begins', an epic 1st. person account of Obi Wan Kenobi's experience with a young Darth Vader, as seen in the movie 'The Phantom Menace'. What really makes this parody song great is that it matches the complicated rhythm and rhyming scheme of McClean's original, line for line. With an artist as clever as Yankovic, you can be in no doubt that the live show is an awesome experience, or in Yankovic's own words, "a rock and comedy multimedia extravaganza." Expect production values, costume changes, video screens and general mayhem. The show is full of clever touches, like Al's ever changing T shirt slogan, as he strips off gradually to a performance of the James Blunt inspired 'You're Pitiful'. I'm in no position to guarantee that you'll have a great time, but I guarantee, go to a Weird Al show and you'll have a great time.

As I write this review, comedy legend ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic has finally, at the fourteenth time of asking, achieved a number one record in the U.S., with Mandatory Fun. The album, which marks the end of a mammoth, twelve-album contract that he’s been tied to for over thirty years, proves beyond doubt that his appetite for satire and parody remains as sharp as ever, with Iggy Azalea, Lorde, Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke amongst the artists on the receiving end of the dubious honour of getting the ‘Weird Al’ treatment. He’s continuing to tour at a prodigious rate, too, with his extensive Alpocalypse run documented on DVD three years ago. Late last year, he played a slew of shows across America, which saw him run through classics from ‘his’ considerable back catalogue; whilst tracks like ‘White and Nerdy’ and ‘Eat It’ may have dated a little in terms of their cultural references, there was also plenty of evidence that he remains ahead of the curve, with ‘TMZ’ sending up the trashy gossip site of the same name. He hasn’t played in the UK since late 2010, but new dates should follow soon now that the album’s out; it could be your last chance to catch him, too, with the end of his contract sparking rumours of retirement.

I had been wanting to see Weird Al live since I was 9 years old singing along to "Yoda" on my boom box and when the stars finally aligned he played mostly songs that I had never heard before. Granted, I was listening to other stuff during high school and college so missed most of these original songs when they were released. So this was my first time hearing "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota", "Close but no Cigar", "Albuquerque", and many more and they were fabulous. I have since gone and searched out all of these "new-to-me" songs and can honestly say that the live performance was superior in every single instance. Al's mature voice is much more resonate and his band is tight. The lighting techs also earned every penny for their fabulous production. This was hands down one of the top 10 concert experiences I have had with one band and a set list under 2 hours. The medley of parody covers set to different music and musical styles was even better than his polka mixes; and I love those accordion fests!

Let me just start off by saying this concert was amazing. The concert began with a short animation segment giving the title and everything for the concert, and then on the screen live footage began streaming of Weird LA himself coming down the hall singing. As he danced down the hall singing his first song, he interacted with employees, and people in the hall as he went. He came out and jumped on stage for the last few verses on the song and then transitioned in to the next few songs. He performed great, and he was very detailed. Between almost every song he changed costumes and during his absence, clips were played on the screen of different appearances on TV shows, or references that had been made to him. All in all, this was an amazing concert and this being my first concert, I was very impressed.

This was a great and very entertaining preformance. This was also the first concert I have ever been to and I enjoyed it a lot. I love the song choices "Weird Al" had for us too, it was all of his classic songs/most popular or common songs. I only wish he had sung his "Living in the Fridge" song since the shirt theme for that concert performance was for that song. I also wish that he had sung "Melanie" because my name is Melanie and hoped hed asked for all the Melanies in the crowd to come up on stage as he sang the song. Other than those small minor things it was the best concert ever and I will not forget about it for as long as I live. LOVE YA "WEIRD AL."

Had a great time at the the Weird Al show. This was the second time I've seen him and the show was basically the same, but there was some new footage in the gag reels. The sound system did not work very well during his opening number, "Tacky", as he came from behind the stage area. Camera footage was off a bit as well then. But, it did not do anything to impact the rest of the show and everything else was perfect. Definitely a fun and entertaining show--loved it!

Outstanding! I found his energy level very exhilarating, especially considering his mid-life age. My wife and I found Weird Al's entire two hr. show extremely entertaining! His different acts required many costume changes and reminded me of a type of show I'd expect had he been in residency at a large Las Vegas, NV casino/resort.

Weird Al Yankovic had the best concert I have ever seen!!! He performed songs old and new. His Tacky entrance and Star Wars ending were what every fan was waiting for. It was a top of the class, number one show. I would not have missed it for the world!!! (Sorry for any Word Crimes)

Sarah Faith/Saran Fate

Weird Al was awesome! Everything you expected and more! Costume changing and great videos that have anything and everything to do with Weird Al!! What a legend! I would have gone the next day if I could!! Filled my phone's storage with pictures and videos! Great show, I love you Weird Al!

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Please note: this is a scaled-down tour with limited production (no costumes, props, or video screens) in smaller theatres and more intimate settings, and Al’s setlist will be comprised almost entirely of his original (non-parody) songs.

SPECIAL GUEST: EMO PHILIPS

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Kimmel Campus Presents in Association with Live Nation

"weird al" yankovic: the unfortunate return of the ridiculously self-indulgent, ill-advised vanity tour, special guest: emo philips, oct 28, 2022.

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“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

VIP Meet & Greet Experience - VIP1

One (1) Premium Reserved ticket in the first (15) rows, plus:

Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity
Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs!
Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! – a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest. Register for the chance to be a contestant, or just play along from the audience (Shhh! No shouting answers!)
Pre-show Hang with fellow fans - including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
Collectible Weird Al Merchandise item
Souvenir VIP Laminate
Early Entry into the venue
Crowd-Free Merchandise Shopping

Click here to purchase VIP tickets

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THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF-INDULGENT, ILL-ADVISED VANITY TOUR

“Weird Al” Yankovic

With special guest: emo philips, august 3, 2022 7:30 pm.

Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the same. As before, rather than focusing on the hits from his career, the show will feature Yankovic’s non-parody material – the somewhat more obscure pastiches and original songs that have largely escaped the pop culture radar but are adored by his long-time fans. And like the last Vanity Tour , he is leaving behind the high-octane theatrics that he’s known for and going bare-bones – no costumes, no props, no video screens… just Al and his band of almost four decades in smaller, more intimate venues, hanging out on stage, playing music. —————- “Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

COVID NOTE:

Masks are RECOMMENDED for this show. Masks may be required for adults depending on local requirements or other health factors at the time of the concert. However, all guests NO LONGER needs to show proof of full vaccination or of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the concert to enter the theatre.

All VIP Attendees MUST wear masks during our pre-show event if they are chosen to play Jeopardy and during the post-show meet and greet.

ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL. Unless a performance is canceled or rescheduled by the Community Arts Center or the performer, there are no refunds or exchanges. In case of inclement weather, should the performance occur, there are no refunds or exchanges. Should you be unable to use your tickets for any show, you may wish to consider donating them back to the Community Arts Center at least 24 hours before a performance as a tax-deductible gift.

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404 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 269-345-6500

Kalamazoo State Theatre

Iconic theatre in Downtown Kalamazoo, MI - Concerts, Events, and Venue Rentals

“Weird Al” Yankovic THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF-INDULGENT, ILL-ADVISED VANITY TOUR AND SPECIAL GUEST: EMO PHILIPS

8:00 PM | Reserved Seating $52.50+

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February 2, 2023

KALAMAZOO STATE THEATRE

“weird al” yankovic, the unfortunate return of the ridiculously self-indulgent, ill-advised vanity tour, special guest: emo philips.

What To Know Before Attending The Show

All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm

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Musical comedy icon, five-time Grammy Award winner and Producer, Co-Writer and subject of the new biopic WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story “Weird Al” Yankovic is coming to the Kalamazoo State Theatre on Thursday, February 2nd,2023. Tickets start at $52.50 plus applicable fees and go on-sale Friday, November 18th at 10:00am. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and the Kalamazoo State Theatre Box Office.

About Weird Al: Four years after his first foray into unfamiliar concert territory with his highly-acclaimed Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, “Weird Al” Yankovic is pressing his luck again, this time with The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.

Reflecting on his decision to bring back the stripped-down concerts, Al said “I’ve loved doing every single incarnation of my live show, but honestly the Vanity tour is the most fun I’ve ever had on stage… so I’ve been dying to get back out there and torture everybody with it once again!”

Opening the show each night will be returning fan favorite and Al’s long-time friend (and UHF cast member), the legendary comedian Emo Philips.

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. His is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G . On August 27, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On November 4, 2022 The Roku Channel unveiled the biopic WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story to rave reviews (Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).

About Emo Phillips: Legendary comedian Emo Philips has performed over 7000 stand-up comedy shows across the globe, including a two-week theater run in London’s West End. Career highlights include his acclaimed comedy album E=MO Squared and the hour-long HBO special Emo Philips Live at the Hasty Pudding Theatre. Emo is especially proud, however, of when he got to demonstrate the proper use of a table saw to Weird Al in the film UHF .

General Ticket Information: Seating is Reserved for this all-ages event. There’s an 8-ticket limit.

$52.50 – $122.50
One (1) premium reserved ticket in the first 15 rows, plus:
Meet & Greet with “Weird Al” Yankovic after the show
Photo op with Al with a professional photographer, photo branded with your show info! (Date, Venue, City)
Personally autographed, custom-designed Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs!
Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! – a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest. Register for the chance to be a contestant, or just play along from the audience (Shhh! No shouting answers!)
Pre-show hang with fellow fans – including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
Exclusive Collectible Weird Al face mug
Special Bonus: 12 oz. bag of Jackson Park Espresso brand coffee (whole bean or ground)!
Souvenir VIP Laminate
Early Entry into the venue
Crowd-Free Merchandise Shopping
On-site VIP host

BUY TICKETS HERE Buy Skip The Line Tickets HERE RSVP On Facebook HERE

Security Information: All patrons are subject to search, pat down, and wanding. The following items are not allowed in the venue: guns, knives, lasers, tasers, mace, glass items, cameras, selfie sticks, outside food or beverage, no bags over the dimensions of 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a width of 2 inches, and other items that may challenge public safety. You can view our full list by visiting our frequently asked questions here

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“Weird Al” Yankovic: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent Ill-Advised Vanity Tour with Special Guest Emo Philips

August 20, 2022 @ 8:00 pm.

—————-

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G. On August 27, 2018 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

COVID -19 Requirements for this performance have been adusted.

Proof of Vaccination and or a Negative Covid test are not required.

Masks may be required for adults depending on local requirements or other health factors at the time of the concert.

All VIP Attendees MUST wear masks during our pre-show event if they are chosen to play Jeopardy and during the post-show meet and greet.

Parking Info:

The Alabama Theatre is not responsible for parking and does not provide any free parking for concerts.

Parking meters are free after 6pm on weekdays and all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Please be aware of tow-away zones. Lots marked “permit parking only” are tow-away zones and they will tow your vehicle at your expense.

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We can only honor event tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster. Tickets bought from individuals or third party sites (StubHub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek, etc.) may not be valid. If you purchase tickets through those sites or individuals you risk purchasing invalid tickets. To guarantee that your ticket be honored, you must purchase through Ticketmaster online . For Ticketmaster customer service, contact (800) 653-8000.

Why can't I buy from somewhere else? If there is a problem with your ticket, the only way that we can look it up in the ticketing system is if it was purchased from Ticketmaster. You must be able to show identification that matches the name on the ticket, show the account number that was used to purchase the ticket or show the credit card that was used for purchase. It is possible for the purchaser of valid tickets to transfer them to another buyer through Ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster app.

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Behind The Accordion With "Weird Al" Yankovic

Weird Al" Yankovic is up for a GRAMMY Award for his mock biopic 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.' In a career-spanning interview, the beloved satirist discusses taking liberties with his life story and creating his most infamous parodies.

"Weird Al" Yankovic is more than just a novelty — though his catalog is full of wacky oddities. A beloved and iconic figure, Yankovic has earned five GRAMMY Awards for his unique blend of satire and sound.

His career as a melodious humorist began with airplay on the "Doctor Demento" radio show in the late 1970s, and he signed with Scotti Bros. Records’ in 1982 just a few months after the fledgling MTV network hit the airwaves. His inspired parodies of Michael Jackson ’s "Beat It" (As "Eat It") and Madonna ’s "Like A Virgin" ("Like A Surgeon"), which was actually the Material Girl’s idea, made him a star. The hit train has kept on rolling, with send ups of Greg Kihn Band ("I Lost On Jeopardy"), Nirvana ("Smells Like Nirvana"), Coolio ("Amish Paradise"), and Pharrell Williams ("Tacky"). Over his 40-year career, Yankovic has done polka medleys, style parodies, and even some originals. But the song lampoons get the most attention – they’re welcome hit jobs.

Most musicians feel honored to be parodied by Weird Al, who always seeks permission to cover a song in his own inimitable way — with his distinct vocals and new lyrics that offer a funny take on an unrelated topic while fitting the cadence and rhyme scheme of the original. He has received 17 GRAMMY nominations , including his latest nod for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media for his late 2022 mock biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story starring Daniel Radcliffe. The film’s soundtrack features an original score from Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg, re-recorded Weird Al hits, and the new song "Now You Know."

Weird is fun in many ways, not least because the slim jokester (who served as co-writer and co-producer), reimagined himself as a buff, party animal rock star. The film plays fast and loose with Yankovic's life, including poetic liberties like dating Madonna, many diva moments, an entanglement with Pablo Escobar, and attempts to win over his disapproving father.

It’s impressive and heartening that this accordion-slinging satirist has gotten to such a level of success. That has included directing videos for himself and other artists, doing voiceovers on animated shows like "Teen Titans Go!" and "Bojack Horseman," writing a children’s book (2011’s When I Grow Up ), collaborating with composer Wendy Carlos on a humorous recording of Peter and the Wolf , and portraying Ted Nugent on an episode of "Reno 911!" He even made a recent cameo in the Broadway show "Gutenberg! The Musical." The list goes on.

Ahead of the 2024 GRAMMYs, Yankovic discussed his music, memorable career moments, and how he has evolved over the decades.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What kind of an accordion collection do you own? Do you have accordions from different countries?

I don't know where they're from exactly. I think most accordions are actually made in Italy. The Hohner ones are probably [from] Germany, but most of my favorite accordions are just ones that I found in swap meets and thrift shops and things like that.

By and large, they don't make accordions the size that I like anymore. Most professional accordions are big and fairly heavy, and the ones I like to play are medium size. They call them student models, or the more sexist term, lady's model. Even though they have all the keys and buttons, but they're lightweight enough that I can jump around on stage with them. The accordion that I've been using mostly for the last several years was something that I picked up for 300 bucks on Craigslist. I showed up at some guy's house – "Here's your money."

** I was recently watching The Compleat Al , your 1985 video collection with mockumentary wraparound segments, and a prelude to the biopic. Then there was your starring turn in the cult favorite UHF with pre-fame Fran Drescher, Michael Richards, and Victoria Jackson.What lessons did you take from those movies when creating the story for Weird ? **

The biggest lesson that I took was I wanted my second movie to be on a streamer. I was a little gun shy with theatrical releases after UHF [in 1989] because it had been built up and gotten great audience scores. The studio Orion put it out in the middle of a blockbuster summer. And it got absolutely slaughtered. I thought, if it's on a streamer, nobody knows how well it does. As long as most people like it, it's a hit. I like that built-in safety net.

Also, UHF was my first movie, and I was extremely green. I didn't know what I was doing. I learned a lot. I Monday morning quarterbacked that movie for several years after it came out – I should have done this, I should have done that. So the entire process of doing Weird was a bit different. I felt like I was a lot more mature in terms of writing and in terms of producing.

** Watching Weird , I thought, I don't think Al's dad was like this . You portrayed him like the tyrannical father in the Twisted Sister video "We’re Not Gonna Take It." What do you think your late parents would have thought of this movie? **

I wish they could have seen it. I think they would have gotten a huge kick out of it. Obviously, my parents, particularly my father, were nothing like that. But when you do a musical biopic, you can't have loving supportive parents, obviously, because then your movie is 10 minutes long.

So we had to have a father that was dead set against his innocent child playing an accordion — the devil squeezebox — and that became a big dramatic arc to the movie, trying to earn my parents love …. But that was something we had to do in order to have our Oscar bait biopic.

** Did you like the way Weird ’s original score came out? **

Oh, absolutely. I'm so thrilled with Zach and Leo’s work. They absolutely nailed it. In fact, my only note to them regarding the music was that the first cue and the end credits were way too peppy [because of what was happening onscreen], and they had this cue that was just a very uplifting song and in a major key. So they used the same music, but they did a much more somber arrangement of it that I thought was more appropriate for the scene.

** You love Mad Magazine , which you guest edited in 2015, and Z2 Comics recently released a graphic novel collection The Illustrated Al with interesting artist interpretations of your lyrics. Were you surprised at the breadth of interpretations and illustrations in that collection? **

That was the point of it. I didn't micromanage anybody. I basically wanted to make sure they got the words right. [ Laughs. ] But other than that, I picked cartoonists and artists whose work I enjoyed and appreciated. [It’s] the same way when I do an animated music video, I try not to step on their toes creatively.

You were on Oprah’s show back in 1984 when she was still local in Chicago, and that day she had her audience populated with 10 to 12-year old boys. Did it take a while for people to take you more "seriously"?

I suppose so. I learned pretty early on that the hardest core fans were 12 years old and preteen. I read all my fan mail, and a lot of it was literally from 12-year old boys. So I don't know if that's the way I was being marketed, or if at that age kids really learn to enjoy that kind of irreverent humor. It's a running joke with me that I say, "Your favorite Weird Al album is whichever album came out when you were 12 years old."

Nowadays, of course, my fan base is multi-generational, and that's partly because all those 12-year olds have grown up and now they're bringing their kids, and in some cases their grandkids, to shows.

Guitarist Rick Derringer produced your first six albums. How did that association come about? Was it really helpful to have someone that skilled while crafting all those parodies?

It was extremely helpful because I was very green. The way that came about is before I even got a record deal I was trying to get permission to do the song "I Love Rocky Road," which of course is a parody of "I Love Rock and Roll," the Joan Jett hit that was actually a cover of a song by the group called the Arrows [in 1975]. That was written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker.

So when we went to get permission from Jake Hooker, he said, "I manage Rick Derringer. Would you be interested in having him work with you, maybe produce your album?" And I was like, "Yeah, of course." So I had a meeting with Rick at a Mexican restaurant on La Cienega Boulevard [in Los Angeles], and we got along great. He agreed to do the first album, and that became my first of six albums [with him].

I assume he did the Van Halen -esque solo on "Eat It"?

The whole solo is, I don't know, 10 seconds long. But I remember Rick did the solo, and he went from being completely dry to being drenched in sweat in under 15 seconds. He put everything into that thing.

Some of your parodies have a lot of musical elements that sound really close to the original recordings. So many of them were done pre-internet. How much musical research did you do, and then how do you avoid sonically plagiarizing?

We weren't sampling them. We did everything from scratch. But I feel very fortunate because I've had the same band for over 40 years, and they are amazing musicians. They know the drill. I would buy them the CD and say, "Here, learn this." Sometimes I changed the key, or sometimes I’d do an edit here and there. But other than that their gig is to try to duplicate it as closely as they can. That's their homework.

If they want to track down the original bass player or keyboard player and say, "What patch did you use here?" Or, "What kind of strings were you using?" They can get granular on it, but that's on them. I work with such caring, professional musicians. I don't know if I should say this, but my drummer John Schwartz will often ask me before a recording session, "You want me to play this exactly like the original recording? Or do you want me to play it right?" [ Laughs. ] Because if there are things that you would hear that he thinks are maybe mistakes, that he wants to correct, I’ll say, "No, no, play it just like the original one."

I always give credit first and foremost to my band because they make me look good. I like to think I'm a fairly talented musician, but everybody else in my band is like a savant.

Of your big hits, which was the hardest one to construct in the studio?

There are a few that were difficult to put together. I did a Frank Zappa pastiche called "Genius In France," and I remember that being difficult because it was so many different time signatures and tempos. We started with just a drum track, and we had to record that in 19 separate sections. The whole song was done in little bitty sections, and then we had to edit everything together when we were all done. That was probably the most involved from a production standpoint.

How long did your earlier hits like "Eat It" and "Like A Surgeon" take to record?

Fairly quickly. The very first album with "My Bologna" and "I Love Rocky Road," we recorded all the basic tracks in 10 hours. I was a little freaked out because at the time I didn't have a record deal yet, and the whole thing was being done on spec. I was literally working for minimum wage in a mailroom, so I was freaked out by how much studio time cost, and thinking things like, If I take a bathroom break, that's gonna cost me 10 bucks.

By the second album [ "Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D ] I slowed down, and by the third album [ Dare To Be Stupid ] I feel like I was a bit more seasoned. I felt more at home in the studio, and I was taking my time and doing it right.

"Hardware Store" is a song you said you've never done live because the a capella parts in the midsection are so fast and so difficult. Are there any other songs that you found that you really can't replicate live?

There's a handful of songs like that. One of those was "The Hamilton Polka" which I did a couple of years ago. Again, a lot of stacked vocals, a lot of very fast vocals. Even if I can pull it off, I’m not sure that my band, as good as they are, could pull off those fast vocals and keep it all tight. Lin-Manuel Miranda and I got to lip sync that song on "The Tonight Show." But that would be a really tough one to pull off live with any kind of accuracy.

Kurt Cobain supposedly said that Nirvana felt they had made it when you did a parody of them. What was the moment where you thought that you had made it?

I'm going to say it was the time that I went to a party and I walked up to Paul McCartney , and he knew who I was. This was 1984. "Eat It" had just come out. I was just starting to get famous, I guess. I asked a publicist, "Can I meet Paul McCartney?" They're like, "No, no, he's very busy, don't bother him." But this was my one chance to meet a hero of mine, a Beatle , and I'm gonna just see if I can sneak up next to him. In fact, I think Martha Quinn was interviewing him on MTV, so there's some footage of me in the background, my head poking up, like, "Hi."

I finally got to talk to Paul, and he was next to Linda McCartney. I remember he turns to Linda and says, "Look, honey, it's Weird Al." And my brain just exploded. I couldn't believe it.

** It’s been nearly a decade since you released your last album, Mandatory Fun . You've talked about the fact that because of all the microcosm subcultures emerging online, it's getting hard to determine what would work for your albums. **

I fulfilled my record contract, so I'm not beholden to anybody. There's that monoculture thing that you refer to. There's the fact that I don't like the business model of having to wait until I have 12 songs [recorded] then put them all at once. I like to have the freedom of just putting out tracks and singles whenever I feel like it. Now granted, I haven't done a whole lot of that in the last eight years, but I like having the flexibility.

If I'm being honest about it, even though my last album went to No. 1, album sales are not a great source of income. Even though my last album was ostensibly the biggest of my career, and historically a No. 1 album, it didn't even go gold. In the ‘90s everything I put out went at least gold if not platinum, so it's just a sign of the times.

I'm more focused now. I'm still recording music here and there, but certainly not as much as I was earlier on in my career. I'm more focused now on playing live and doing voice acting and various other TV and film projects.

After all these years, is there anything you think your fans would be surprised to learn about you?

I certainly have a number of joke answers for this, but honestly, no. I can't think of anything really. It's not like my life is an open book, but I don't have any deep, dark secrets or skeletons in my closet or anything like that. Oh, one of my roommates in college was a mass murderer. But other than that...

Did you have any idea at the time that?

Oh, no, no. And a few years later, he went out and killed a bunch of people.

You dodged a bullet.

Yeah. Glad he didn't burn the macaroni and cheese too much.

2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

(L-R) Billy Joel, Freddy Wexler

Freddy Wexler On Helping Billy Joel "Turn The Lights Back On" — At The 2024 GRAMMYs And Beyond

"Part of what was so beautiful for me to see on GRAMMY night was the respect and adoration that people of all ages and from all genres have for Billy Joel," Wexler says of Joel's 2024 GRAMMYs performance of their co-written "Turn The Lights Back On."

They say to not meet your heroes. But when Freddy Wexler — a lifelong Billy Joel fan — did just that, it was as if Joel walked straight out of his record collection.

"I think the truth is none of it is that surprising," the 37-year-old songwriter and producer tells GRAMMY.com. "That's the best part. From his music, I would've thought this is a humble, brilliant everyman who probably walks around with a very grounded perspective, and that's exactly who he is."

That groundedness made possible "Turn the Lights Back On" — the hit comeback single they co-wrote, and Wexler co-produced; Joel performed a resplendent version at the 2024 GRAMMYs with Laufey . Joel hadn't released a pop album since 1993's River of Dreams ; for him to return to the throne would take an awfully demonstrative song, true to his life.

"I think it's a very raw, honest, real perspective that is true to Billy," Wexler explains. "I think it's the first time we've heard him acknowledge mistakes and regret in quite this way."

Specifically, Joel's return highlights his regret over spending three decades mostly on the bench, largely absent from the pop scene. As Joel wonders aloud in the stirring, arpeggiated chorus, "Is there still time for forgiveness?"

"Forgiveness" is a curious word. Why would the five-time GRAMMY winner and 23-time nominee possibly need to seek forgiveness? Regardless — as the song goes — he's "tryin' to find the magic/ That we lost somehow." The song's message — an attempt to recapture a lost essence — transcends Joel's personal headspace, connecting with a universal longing and nostalgia.

Read on for an interview with Wexler about the impact of "Turn the Lights Back On," why he thinks Joel took such an extended sabbatical, the prospect of more new music, and much more.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

** You did a great interview with Rolling Stone ahead of the 2024 GRAMMYs . Now, we're on the other side of it; you got to see how it went down on the telecast, and resonated with the audience and world. What was that like? **

It's why I make music — to hopefully make people feel something. This song has really resonated in such a big way. More than looking at its commercial success on the charts or on radio, which has been awesome to see, the comments on Instagram and YouTube have been the most rewarding part of it.

Why do you think it resonated? Beyond the king picking up his crown again?

I don't think the song is trying to be anything it's not. I think it's a very raw, honest, real perspective that is true to Billy. I think it's the first time we've heard him acknowledge mistakes and regret in quite this way. And to hear him do it in a hopeful way where he's asking, "Is it too late for forgiveness?" is just very moving, I think.

Forgiveness? That's interesting. What would any of us need to forgive him?

He has said in other interviews, "Sometimes people say they have no regrets at the end of their life." And he said, "I don't think that's possible. If you've lived a full life, of course you have regrets." He has said that he has many things he wishes he would've done differently. This is an opportunity to express that.

I think what's interesting about the song is it has found meaning in various ways with various people and listeners. Some people imagine Billy is singing to former lovers or friends. Other people imagine Billy is singing to his fans asking, "Did I wait too long to record again?" Other people wonder if Billy is singing to the songwriting Gods and muses. Did I wait too long to write again?

In Israel, where the song was number one — or is number one, I haven't checked today — I think the song's taken on the meaning of just wanting things to be normal, wanting hostages to come home and turn the lights back on. So, you never know where a song is going to resonate, but I think that Billy just found his own meaning with it.

You know the discography front to back. What lines can you draw from "Turn the Lights Back On" to past works?

I think it draws on various pieces of his catalog, right? "She's Always a Woman" has a sort of piano arpeggio in the chorus. To me, it feels like a natural progression. It feels like, on the one hand, it's a new song. On the other, it could have come out right after River of Dreams . To me, it just kind of feels natural.

** Back when you spoke with Rolling Stone , you said you couldn't wait to hear "Turn the Lights Back On" at Madison Square Garden. How'd it sound? **

Amazing. Billy is a consummate live performer. I think he's one of the few artists where everything is better live, and everything is always a little bit different each time it's played live.

It's been really cool to watch Billy and the band continue to change and improve the song and the song's dynamics for the show. He told me tonight that tomorrow night in Tampa, I think they're going to try to play with the key of the song, potentially — try it a half a step higher.

Those are the sort of things I think great artists do, right? It's different from being on a certain type of tour where every single song is the same, the set list is the same, the key is the same, the arrangements are the same.

With Billy, there's a lot of feeling and, "Hey, why don't we try it this way? Let's play it a little faster. Let's play it a little slower. Let's try it in a different key." I just think that's super cool. You have to be a really good musician to just do that on the fly.

What have you learned from him that applies to your music making, writ large?

I've learned so much from him. As Olivia Rodrigo said to us at GRAMMY rehearsals, "He's the blueprint when it comes to songwriting."

He has helped raise the bar for me when it comes to melodies and lyrics, but the thing I keep coming back to is he's reminded me that even the greatest artists and songwriters ever sometimes forget how great they are. I think we need to be careful not to give that inner voice and inner critic too much power.

Can you talk about how the music video came to be?

Well, I had a dream that Billy was singing the opening two lines of the song, but it was a 25-year-old version of Billy. It was arresting.

When I woke up, I sort of had the vision for the video, which was one set, an empty venue of some kind, and four Billy Joels. The Billy Joel that really exists today, but then three Billys from three iconic eras where each Billy would seamlessly pick up the song where the other left off.

The idea behind that was to sort of accentuate the question of the song — did I wait too long to turn the lights back on?

And so, to kind of take us through time and through all these years, I teamed up with an amazing co-director, Warren Fu, who's done everything from Dua Lipa to Daft Punk , and an artificial intelligence company called Deep Voodoo to make that vision possible.

What I'm driven by is the opportunity to create conversations, cultural moments, things that make people feel something. What was cool here is as scary as AI is — and I think it is scary in many ways — we were able to give an example of how you can use it in a positive way to execute a creative artistic vision that previously would've been impossible to execute.

Yeah, so I'm pleased with it and I'm thankful that Billy did a video. He didn't have to do one, but he liked the idea of it. He felt it was different, and I think he was moved by it as well.

What do you think is the next step here?

It's been a really rewarding process. And Billy is open-minded, which is really cool for an artist of that level, who's not a new artist by any stretch. To actually be described as being in a place in his life where he's open-minded, means anything is possible. I could tell you that I would love there to be more music.

I'd love to get your honest appraisal. And I know you're not him. But his last pop album was released 31 years ago. In that long interim, what do you think was going on with him, creatively?

Look, I'm not Billy Joel, but I think there were a number of factors going on with him. Somewhere along the way, I think he stopped having fun with music, which is the reason he got into it, or which is a big part of the reason he got into it. When it stopped being fun, I don't think he really wanted to do it anymore.

Another piece to it is that Billy is a perfectionist, and that perfectionism is evident in the caliber of his songwriting. Having always written 100 percent of his songs, Billy at some point probably found that process to be painstaking, to try to hit that bar where he's probably wondering in his head, What would Beethoven think of this? What would Leonard Bernstein think of this?

I think part of what was different here was that, perhaps, there was something liberating about "Turn the Lights Back On" being a seed that was brought to Billy. In this way, he could be a little disconnected from it, where maybe he didn't have to have the self-imposed pressure that he would if it was an idea that he'd been trying to finish for a while.

Ironically, he still made it. Well, there's no "ironically," but I think that's it. There's something to that.

Billy Joel's Biggest Songs: 15 Tracks That Best Showcase The Piano Man's Storytelling And Pop Hooks

Photo: Andrew Sankovich

GRAMMY U Reps Experience GRAMMY Week Like Never Before Thanks To The Recording Academy & United Airlines

United Airlines flew the GRAMMY U Representatives out to L.A. for an unforgettable 2024 GRAMMY Week. The trip provided significant professional development in music, and the Reps savored every moment. Take a look at the GRAMMY U Reps’ inspirational week.

Thanks to United Airlines' partnership with the Recording Academy, the students traveled from all over the country to Los Angeles and met in person for the first time. In past years, GRAMMY U Reps have only been able to attend a few select events in addition to the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday. But because of United Airlines, these National and Chapter Reps were able to experience the music industry’s most exhilarating week.

Come with the GRAMMY U Reps as they experience Music’s Biggest Night, behind-the-scenes tours, and events highlighting various initiatives within the music industry during GRAMMY Week 2024. Learn how to apply to GRAMMY U here .

Tuesday: Travel Day

The GRAMMY U group chat was exploding with excited messages as we arrived at the airport early Tuesday morning. Each Rep was about to meet their co-workers — many of whom had only connected virtually — and gain the experience of a lifetime.

United flew all 14 Reps to Los Angeles with exceptional timing, service, and care — even though we were traveling to work at GRAMMY Week, it felt like we were getting celebrity treatment. Once we touched down in L.A., we ran to the United baggage claim to hug our friends and capture the experience to share with fellow GRAMMY U members.

Philly Rep Tamara Tondreau and Nashville Rep Della Anderson┃GRAMMY U

After grabbing lunch near our hotel in downtown L.A., we made it to the Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter Office in Santa Monica for our first in-person team meeting. Sporting new custom GRAMMY U jackets, T-shirts, and hats, we prepared for our signature GRAMMY Week event, a Masterclass with actress/GRAMMY-nominated R&B artist Halle Bailey .

Reps were briefed on plans for the week, then took an office tour where we spotted multiple golden gramophones. Since we work remotely year-round, this was our first time getting to see where all the magic happens.

Wednesday: Behind-The-Scenes & Behind The Music

On Wednesday, we were up bright and early to explore the Crypto.com Arena and learn about the behind-the-scenes preparation it takes to host the GRAMMY Awards each year.

Jody Kolozsvari, Associate Producer of the GRAMMYs and a GRAMMY U alum, guided us around the arena. He also introduced us to the incredible audio, mixing, communications, and production teams as well as Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr .

"Walking intoCrypto.com Arena and seeing the GRAMMY stage being built was a very surreal moment," said Sara Hudson, GRAMMY U's New York Chapter Rep. "Meeting so many of the people behind the show and witnessing the hard work that is put into producing the GRAMMY Awards made my passion for working in live music grow even more."

Later that night, Philadelphia Chapter Rep Tamara Tondreau and Los Angeles Chapter Rep Jade Bacon worked as GRAMMY U press at the A Celebration of Craft event, a collaboration between the Recording Academy Producers and Engineers Wing and Songwriters and Composers Wing. This was the very first time GRAMMY U Reps were invited to this exclusive event; Tamara, a songwriter herself, called this event "unforgettable."

"Since songwriting sparked my interest in the music industry, it was inspiring to be in the room with so many talented creatives," Tamara says. "Networking with professionals who hold multiple roles in the industry encouraged me and reaffirmed my goal of maintaining both business and creative aspects in my career."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by GRAMMY U (@grammyu)

Thursday: Fostering Community & Culture

Hosted at GRAMMY House , Thursday morning started with a beautiful luncheon at the inaugural A Celebration of Women in the Mix . This event made space for women in the music industry to gather and support one another, recognizing all of the strides made in a male-dominated field.

Twelve of the 14 Reps identify as women, and this was a special moment to meet some of the industry leaders that we look up to as role models. Networking with female artists, managers, and producers who are laying the groundwork for our generation was a powerful moment we will never forget.

After delivering the keynote speech, Ty Stiklorius, the founder of management company Friends at Work, spoke with some of the GRAMMY U Reps.

"Having a conversation with such an established female in the music industry was incredibly inspiring," says Memphis Rep. Shannon Conte. "After this moment of mentorship and encouragement, I left the event feeling much more confident in my ability to one day succeed in becoming an artist manager."

Dressing up in our finest suits and gowns, we hit the town to attend the exclusive Black Music Collective ’s 2024 Recording Academy Honors event, where legends Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz accepted Global Impact Awards. Sitting in the same room as these superstars was awe-inspiring, and it was an honor to see how the Black community was celebrated during GRAMMY Week.

GRAMMY U Reps Shaneel Young, Jade Bacon, and Chloe Sarmiento hosted interviews for our social media, highlighting the fashion of dozens of high-profile attendees including Adam Blackstone , Jordin Sparks , Flavor Flav , and Erica Campbell as they walked the signature black carpet. The excitement of the press line on the black carpet provided Reps with first-hand experience of what a career in press and publicity could look like.

GRAMMY U DC Rep Shaneel Young aspires to work in music marketing. "Interviewing some of the most influential people in the industry about my passions: music, fashion, and culture, will be a moment I remember for the rest of my career," she reflects.

Reps at Black Music Collective’s Recording Academy Honors┃GRAMMY U

These two spectacular events immersed us in the initiatives the Recording Academy has implemented to celebrate diversity and representation in music, and we are so honored to be a part of the company’s continued mission.

Friday: Work Hard, Play Hard

After months spent planning our signature GRAMMY Week event, the GRAMMY U Masterclass with Halle Bailey , presented by Mastercard, we finally saw the fruits of our labor come to life. This year, we welcomed over 500 attendees in person, with members from every Chapter flying in to experience the event together at GRAMMY House.

GRAMMY U PNW Rep Chloe Sarmiento worked as talent lead and interacted directly with Halle Bailey and her team. "It was incredibly fulfilling to see the event come together on-site in Los Angeles after weeks of working on it from home," Chloe says. "Halle and her team were so great to work with, and I couldn’t have asked for a better speaker for the Masterclass!"

Working with experienced Recording Academy staff onsite further enlightened us about all things event production. From talent handling and partnerships to working radios and managing the stage, we were excited to execute a large-scale event with all of the Reps at GRAMMY House.

After a successful Masterclass, the Reps split up for the evening to conquer even more GRAMMY Week events. Half the group went to the #GRAMMYsNextGen party to spread the word about membership, host a photobooth, and interact with influencers and emerging performers. We met hip-hop duo Flyana Boss , and some of our other celebrity sightings included Laura Marano and Milo Manheim. It was inspiring to see other young professionals who have established themselves in the entertainment industry so early in their careers.

Mastercard surprised us with an entire seated table at the exclusive MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala honoring Jon Bon Jovi . It was an outstanding evening honoring the rock icon and the many ways he has given back to the music community. Following a live auction, Brandy Clark , Lainey Wilson , Jelly Roll , Shania Twain , and others performed some of Bon Jovi’s biggest hits — Bon Jovi even graced the stage with Bruce Springsteen for a special rendition of "Who Says You Can’t Go Home."

The Reps were incredibly grateful to United and Mastercard for granting us the opportunity to witness these exclusive live performances. To see the music community come together to honor a legend while giving back and furthering the mission of MusiCares is a heartwarming aspect of the music industry we don’t get to witness every day.

Reps with Sabrina Carpenter at the Person of the Year Gala┃GRAMMY U

GRAMMY U Chicago Rep Rachel Owen was one of the lucky attendees able to watch the thrilling performances while mingling in the crowd with other musicians like Sabrina Carpenter and David Archuleta.

"To even be in the same room as Shania Twain is an honor, she’s timeless and more exquisite than I could've even imagined," Owen says. "To see her perform live to Jon Bon Jovi is the type of moment you just never take for granted."

Saturday: Divide & Conquer

Saturday was jam-packed with events. Back again at GRAMMY House, a group of Reps attended the Best New Artist Spotlight , where nominees discussed their breakthrough years and what it means to be considered a "new artist." From upstarts Ice Spice and Gracie Abrams to the long musical journey of Victoria Monét , The War and Treaty , and Jelly Roll , these diverse perspectives all stressed that each person has a unique career timeline and reminded us as students to practice perseverance and patience as we navigate this industry.

Various Reps continued at GRAMMY House, some working as press at the #GRAMMYsNextGen Ambassador Power Brunch and the first-ever Academy Proud event, celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices.

A handful of us worked as GRAMMY U press at the Special Merit Awards ceremony and subsequent celebration. Being a part of these exclusive events and witnessing historic moments like the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards was truly impactful. We interviewed nominees at the celebration, including boygenius engineer Owen Lantz (the supergroup would win their first three GRAMMYs the very next day.)

Hundreds of nominees attended the Special Merit Awards and Celebration, proudly displaying their blue medallions and glowing as they took their official GRAMMY nominee photos; the hopeful and energetic spirit of the event fueled our drive to succeed in this industry even more.

Sunday: And The GRAMMY Goes To…

Sunday morning was the day everyone had all been waiting for: the 66th GRAMMY Awards! After getting our glam on, the GRAMMY U Reps got to walk the red carpet for the first time ever. We took tons of photos and videos to commemorate this special moment and share our experience with friends and family.

While most of the Reps were posing on the carpet, Pierson, Jasmine, Rachel, and Chloe had the honor of being trophy presenters during the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony . This was the first time GRAMMY U Reps from across the country were given the honor of being up close and personal during artists' career-defining moments.

Reps on the GRAMMYs Red Carpet┃Andrew Sankovich

Moving into Crypto.com Arena to be seated for the telecast portion of the evening, the GRAMMY U Reps were ecstatic to watch the ceremony in person. As legends like Joni Mitchell , Billy Joel , Tracy Chapman , and Stevie Wonder blazed on stage, all the Reps were singing and dancing along, thrilled to be a part of Music’s Biggest Night. Phenomenal performances from nominees SZA , Billie Eilish , Olivia Rodrigo , Dua Lipa , Miley Cyrus , and Luke Combs were equally captivating.

Witnessing the live telecast after experiencing so much behind-the-scenes production exemplified how rewarding the music industry can be, and how prestigious winning a GRAMMY truly is. The quiet suspense before a winner was announced and the roars that followed created a rollercoaster of emotions that took our breath away.

Immediately afterward, we were off to enjoy the official GRAMMYs After-Party — and not even the constant showers could not rain on our parade. The Reps hit the dancefloor as soon as NE-YO took the stage, and hearing "Time of Our Lives" felt especially relatable.

As we headed back home on our United flights, we reflected on an exhilarating GRAMMY Week. Not only were we able to be part of exclusive events, but we also interacted with artists, learned from experts, and grew exponentially. Experiencing these moments with the other Reps brought our team closer, while meeting members and peers showed the expansive community GRAMMY U is cultivating.

Because of United, we witnessed all the Recording Academy does for the music industry. After GRAMMY Week, we feel more inspired and empowered than ever to lead the next generation of the music industry.

With additional reporting from Pierson Livingston.

2024 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List

Photo: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

South African Singer Tyla Won The Inaugural Best African Music Performance Category At The 2024 GRAMMYs. What Does It Mean For African Music On The Global Stage?

While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America, Tyla’s win reflects how Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent. Is "Water" what African music needs to blossom?

As the first recipient of the inaugural Best African Music Performance GRAMMY Award, South African songstress Tyla has officially etched her name into history. At the 2024 GRAMMYs , the 22-year-old's amapiano-infused Afro pop hit "Water" beat out several long-established names in African music.

While Tyla's success on Music's Biggest Night stresses the Recording Academy's continued efforts to showcase diverse African music, her victory is more of a one-armed hug rather than a full, legs-off-the-ground embrace of African music.

This is chiefly because "Water" was successful and marketable for its use of Western pop influences. While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America , bestowing a golden gramophone upon an artist whose work reflects familiar sounds is a curious step forward for African music. Still, Tyla's win may foster a greater embrace of the African sound, and the virality and pervasiveness of "Water" propelled the Johannesburg-born singer/songwriter to unheard of heights.

"Water" hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Hip-Hop/R&B charts, and became the first African song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 since 1968. The track peaked at No. 7, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo musician in Billboard history. The "Water" dance challenge on TikTok further pushed the track into the global sphere, and the song has been featured in over 1.5 million videos.

The widespread appeal of "Water" is a culmination of elements, notably a fusion of Western pop with subtler amapiano influences. The song melds sleek American R&B and pop compositions with the log drums and piano trails synonymous with the South African amapiano genre.

Read more: 10 African GRAMMY Winners Through The Years: From Miriam Makeba To Angélique Kidjo & Burna Boy

Indeed, most musical genres (regardless of continent of origin) draw inspiration from and contribute back to each other. The resulting music transcends regional boundaries and appeals globally — and Tyla's "Water" is proof of this resonance. Yet it also reflects how a major Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent.

The Recording Academy's new Category was designed to highlight "strong elements of African cultural significance," said Shawn Thwaites, Recording Academy Awards Project Manager and author of the Category. In describing eligibility for the Best African Music Performance Category, Thwaites noted that songs must feature "a stylistic intention, song structure, lyrical content and/or musical representation found in Africa and the African diaspora."

Still, when it comes to recognizing lesser known genres — from South Africa's gqom to Tanzania’s singeli and Ghana’s asakaa — the global audience still has a long way to go.

"We need to go deeper and in more detail within different genres of music. We know there are multiple different types of music — hundreds of genres, in fact — coming from Africa and from all 54 countries on the continent," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told GRAMMY.com after his three trips to the vibrant continent. "I'd love to see us be able to honor even more music from Africa and other areas of the world."

Thwaites hopes that celebrating the diversity of African music will also lead to greater cultural exchange. Eventually, this could lead to "more collaborations between artists of different genres and more artist relations between labels and executives in America," he said.

But for this progression to happen correctly, there has to be a cultural education about the music within the continent and it's something Ghazi Shami , CEO/Founder of Empire Records, Distribution and Publishing — who consulted with the Recording Academy on the new Category — is looking forward to watching develop.

"I think we'll see expanded categories in African music in the years to come, but this is a great start toward recognizing the merits and impact of African music," he told GRAMMY.com prior to the ceremony.

Tyla's GRAMMY win is an exceptional achievement — particularly so for a young African woman. Popular African music has often been skewed towards male artists. At the 2023 GRAMMYs , Tems became the only female solo artist currently living in Nigeria to win a GRAMMY. ( Sade , who was born in Nigeria, has won four GRAMMYs but lives in the U.K.)

A similar trend is observed in South Africa, where Miriam Makeba was both Africa's first GRAMMY winner and the country's solo female vocalist to win prior to Tyla.

Tyla's win is a beacon to other young female performers in Africa — including fellow Category nominee Ayra Starr and singer/songwriter and producer Bloody Civilian — proving that female artists can and will be recognized, regardless of their country of origin. It also demonstrates how the distance between African artists and international prestige has been shortened, thus furthering the likelihood of artistic innovation.

Her win is also notable in a Category stacked with Nigerian artists. Of the five nominated works, "Water" is the only one not created by an artist of Nigerian descent or currently living in Nigeria. (Though South African producer Musa Keys is featured on Davido 's nominated "UNAVAILABLE.") Although South Africa has a lengthy history at the GRAMMY Awards, Tyla is proof the world is listening to what her country has to offer.

While her fellow nominees — Starr, Burna Boy , Davido, ASAKE & Olamide — and artists such as Wizkid have also shouldered the responsibility for the globalization of popular African music, there is still a long road ahead.

Tyla’s win holds significant promise for African music as pop music. While "Water" certainly has noticeable South African elements, its Western appeal may partially lay in its use of familiar sounds. For Africa to truly win, the world has to embrace African music for what it is, and not for what it's trying to be.

Big First Wins At The 2024 GRAMMYs: Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Victoria Monét & More

Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

How The Latin GRAMMYs Brought Latin Music Excellence To The 2024 GRAMMYs

Latin music was celebrated throughout GRAMMY Week and on Music's Biggest Night. Read on for the many ways Latin music excellence was showcased at the 204 GRAMMYs.

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs may have occurred months ago and thousands of miles away, but the leading lights in Latin music also shined at the 66th GRAMMY Awards . From historic wins and meaningful nominations, to electric performances and interesting installations, Latin music excellence was everywhere.

In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMYs in 2024, the exclusive GRAMMY House — the site of multiple GRAMMY Week events — included a significant installation dedicated to the Biggest Night In Latin Music.

The cylindrical display showcased some of the biggest moments in Latin GRAMMY history, including images, facts, and even a real Latin GRAMMY award.

The celebration of Latin music continued throughout GRAMMY Week, with several Latin GRAMMY-winning artists also winning on the GRAMMY stage. Among the major moments at the 2024 GRAMMYs, Karol G won her first golden gramophone for her 2023 LP Mañana Será Bonito . "This is my first time at GRAMMYs, and this is my first time holding my own GRAMMY," the Colombian songstress exclaimed during her acceptance speech.

Música Mexicana star Peso Pluma also took home his first GRAMMY; his album GÉNESIS won in the Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano) Category.

Premiere Ceremony presenter Natalia Lafourcade — whose Todas Las Flores won big at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs — also took home the GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album. She tied in the Category with Juanes .

Premiere Ceremony performer Gabby Moreno also took home a GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Pop Album for her album X Mí (Vol. 1) .

Beyond the stage, Latin artists graced the red carpet and the nominations list. For example, producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera was the only Latino nominated in the Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical Category.

10 Must-See Moments From The 2024 GRAMMYs: Taylor Swift Makes History, Billy Joel & Tracy Chapman Return, Boygenius Manifest Childhood Dreams

1 Behind The Accordion With "Weird Al" Yankovic
2 Freddy Wexler On Helping Billy Joel "Turn The Lights Back On" — At The 2024 GRAMMYs And Beyond
3 GRAMMY U Reps Experience GRAMMY Week Like Never Before Thanks To The Recording Academy & United Airlines
4 South African Singer Tyla Won The Inaugural Best African Music Performance Category At The 2024 GRAMMYs. What Does It Mean For African Music On The Global Stage?
5 How The Latin GRAMMYs Brought Latin Music Excellence To The 2024 GRAMMYs

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"Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic Tour
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4 The essential weird al yankovic i lost on jeopardy
Maysun Plays Weird Al Jeopardy! (Portsmouth, NH)

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How Weird Al Saved Jeopardy
"Weird AL-Chemy" Category on Jeopardy

COMMENTS

"Weird Al" Yankovic:
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity; Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs! Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest.
What was the jeopardy like for the first vanity tour? : r/weirdal
The questions varied from pretty obvious to really obscure. There was a good mix, but if you're relatively knowledgeable, you'll do fine. There wasn't a GIANT crowd for Jeopardy, but there was a big enough one to make noise. I was worried about how I would do with the crowd, but in my experience, they were really cool and not distracting or ...
"Weird Al" Yankovic
The official website of "Weird Al" Yankovic.
The Wiltern (Los Angeles, CA) June 18th
The tour marks Weird Al's long-anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where he performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra. Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the ...
"Weird Al" Yankovic: Unfortunate Return Of The Ill-Advised Vanity Tour
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show. Includes a signature (any one item of your choice) and a photo (with your camera) Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs! Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest.
Weird Al Yankovic Announces Gigantic 133-Date 2022 U.S. Tour
Graham Hartmann Published: December 3, 2021. Michael Buckner, Getty Images. Weird Al Yankovic has just announced a gigantic 133-date U.S. tour that'll keep the parody master on the road from ...
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity; Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs! Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
All 2 back-to-back Weird Al 2022 Vanity Tour shows will have a distinctly different set list. No songs will be repeated on either night. This will save you the worry of needing to purchase tickets twice. ... Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest ...
Weird Al Yankovic Tickets
The tour marks Weird Al's long-anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where he performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra. Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the same.
'Weird Al' adds final Massachusetts stop to 2022 tour
Tickets range from about $44 to $334 with general admission being first come first serve. VIP tickets are also available and include aa meet and greet, Weird Al Jeopardy!, a collectible "Weird ...
"Weird Al" Yankovic Tour Announcements 2024 & 2025 ...
List of all "Weird Al" Yankovic tour dates, concerts, support acts, reviews and venue info. Live streams; ... "I Lost on Jeopardy", and "Polkas on 45", before releasing the full-length "Dare to Be Stupid" in 1986. The album went gold like its predecessor, was the first comedy album to be released on compact disc, and featured the ...
Europe & Australia Tour Dates
2023 TOUR DATES Please note: this is a scaled-down tour with limited production (no costumes, props, or video screens) in smaller theatres and more intimate settings, and Al's setlist will be comprised almost entirely of his original (non-parody) songs. SPECIAL GUEST: EMO PHILIPS
MEGATHREAD: Unfortunate Return of Vanity Tour Discussion ...
MEGATHREAD: Unfortunate Return of Vanity Tour Discussion & Info Thread : r/weirdal. Go to weirdal. r/weirdal. r/weirdal. This is the (unofficial) place for all fans of the lyrical genius, poetic wordsmith, and performer extraordinaire, "Weird Al" Yankovic. Please post all of your Al musings, tchotchkes, and gewgaws here. MembersOnline.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show (plus photo opportunity!) Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster VIP EXCLUSIVE; Be a part of the pre-show "Weird Al Jeopardy!" game show experience; Pre-show hang with fellow fans - including complimentary non-alcoholic beverages; Souvenir VIP Laminate; Early entry into venue
"Weird Al" Yankovic: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self
Meet & Greet with Weird Al after the show with a photo opportunity; Personally autographed, custom-designed 2022 Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs! Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, "Weird Al" Yankovic is pressing his luck again, this time with The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, ... All VIP Attendees MUST wear masks during our pre-show event if they are chosen to play Jeopardy and during the post-show meet and greet.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Music video by "Weird Al" Yankovic performing I Lost On Jeopardy. YouTube view counts pre-VEVO: 47,132 (C) 1984 Volcano Entertainment lll, LLC
"Weird Al" Yankovic THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF
Photo op with Al with a professional photographer, photo branded with your show info! (Date, Venue, City) Personally autographed, custom-designed Vanity Tour poster, exclusive to VIPs! Be a part of Weird Al Jeopardy! - a Pre-Concert Game Show Experience challenging people to the ultimate Weird Al trivia contest.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (/ ˈ j æ ŋ k ə v ɪ k / YANG-kə-vik; born October 23, 1959) is an American musician, comedian, and actor. He is best known for writing and performing comedy songs that often parody specific songs by contemporary musicians. He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, as well as polka medleys of several popular songs ...
"Weird Al" Yankovic: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self
The tour marks Weird Al's long-anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where he performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra. Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the ...
Mandatory World Tour
Concert at Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Sweden.. The Mandatory World Tour (also known as the Return of the Mandatory World Tour) is the 12th concert tour by American recording artist, "Weird Al" Yankovic.Launched in 2015, the tour supports the singer's 14th studio album, Mandatory Fun (2014). Running for two years, the tour played nearly 200 shows in North America, Europe and Australasia.
Behind The Accordion With "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic is more than just a novelty — though his catalog is full of wacky oddities. A beloved and iconic figure, Yankovic has earned five GRAMMY Awards for his unique blend of satire and sound. His career as a melodious humorist began with airplay on the "Doctor Demento" radio show in the late 1970s, and he signed with Scotti Bros. Records' in 1982 just a few months after the ...