Weird Al speaks out about his loss

[Guest Astro]

On April 9, my mom and dad, Nick and Mary Yankovic, passed away in their home in Fallbrook, California. It was the result of a terrible accident that morning they had started a fire in the fireplace with the flue closed, and were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Suzanne called me that afternoon on the bus to give me the news, so that I would hear about it before the wire services picked it up.

 

Needless to say, I feel pretty much the way you would expect me to feel shocked and devastated beyond words. I loved my parents so much, and this all still seems like a horrible nightmare that I cant wake up from.

 

I want to thank my family, friends and fans for the incredible outpouring of love and support that theyve shown me. Its wonderful to know that there are so many people around the world who truly loved my parents, and also nice to know that I am not alone in my grief.

 

I take some small measure of comfort in knowing that they died peacefully, and that they never had to suffer through the pain and loneliness of living without each other. I'm also grateful that they both lived long enough to see me happily married to Suzanne, and particularly happy that they got to meet our beautiful baby daughter Nina. She filled their lives with so much joy this last year. Nina may be too young to remember playing with her grandparents when she gets older, but dont worry, well have some great videotape to show her.

 

Many people have wondered whats going to happen with the tour. I briefly considered canceling some shows, but I ultimately decided that it would be better for me personally to continue working. Plus, Ive heard from so many people over the years that my music has cheered them up in times of tragedy well, I thought maybe my music would help me too.

 

So far, it has. Going up on stage in front of thousands of supportive fans is a cathartic and somewhat therapeutic experience for me right now. I dont know if I can say that the concerts really take my mind off of the tragedy, but at least they give me a break from sobbing all the time.

 

Anyway, I have decided not to cancel any shows the tour will continue as planned. However, I have decided to put a moratorium on all interviews and meet-and-greets for the time being I just feel like I need some time alone right now.

 

The funeral will be a very small, intimate service with only the immediate family attending, so please, I ask that you respect our privacy. Just knowing that your thoughts are with us at this time is more than enough, but if you care to contribute anything, in lieu of flowers, Suzanne and I suggest a donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council in my parents name.

 

One thing I would like to ask everybody to do, though please, go out and get carbon monoxide detectors for yourself and your loved ones. If my parents had had one in their home, theres a very good chance that they would still be with us today.

 

In fairness to the memory of my mother, I should point out some errors that appeared in the press. Although she was starting to have a problem with short-term memory loss (she was taking medication for it), my mother was never diagnosed with Alzheimers.

 

As long as Im pointing out errors that the press has made, it was my Aunt Dot who found my parents when she was bringing them lunch that day, as she routinely did (and not a group of relatives concerned that they hadnt heard from them in a while the family was close and caring and saw each other several times a day). Also, my aunts and uncles all live in separate houses (not together, as some articles implied), and for what its worth, I am not represented by the William Morris Agency either.

 

I dont know how much else I can say about my parents that I havent already said in interviews over the years. Although I always found it a little uncomfortable, my dad talked a lot about death. He mentioned a few times that he was planning to go on a diet so that his casket would be easier to carry. I guess thats where I got my sick sense of humor from. And he was always talking about how much he was looking forward to seeing his old army buddies again (in the next life). I sure hope theyre having a great reunion right now.

 

As unthinkable as this tragedy is to me, I just know that my mom and dad were very much at peace with the world and with their lives. And I guess I can take a small amount of comfort in that too.

 

Thank you all again for your overwhelming kindness and support. It means more to me than you can ever know.

 

Love,

Al

[Nighthawk 0]

That's some sad shit. I just hope he doesn't write a song about it. It would be uncomfortably awkward.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I don't think the newswire would have reported it. I like Weird Al but he's not of the level where his parents dying in an accident makes public waves.

[Guest Astro]

It was on Good Morning America this morning

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

That's some sad shit. I just hope he doesn't write a song about it. It would be uncomfortably awkward.

"Papa Don't Breathe"

[Guest Jimbo]

It's pretty weird trying to think of Weird Al as sad, mournful person.

 

Have you EVER seen or heard of him him in a state such as this? Even when talking about his "serious" problems on Behind the Music he was laughing.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

That's some sad shit. I just hope he doesn't write a song about it. It would be uncomfortably awkward.

"Papa Don't Breathe"

haha oh man.

[Guest MikeSC]

It's pretty weird trying to think of Weird Al as sad, mournful person.

 

Have you EVER seen or heard of him him in a state such as this? Even when talking about his "serious" problems on Behind the Music he was laughing.

This is sad. Al is easily one of the --- if not the --- brightest people in the field of music and comes across as one of the few genuinely good people out there (I can't think of a single song of his with any profanity).

-=Mike

[NoCalMike 0]

Sad News.

[Adam 0]

What a terrible thing to happen to a really nice guy. I saw a VH1 special that featured Weird AL and his parents, and his love for them was evident. I hope the press leave him alone, thats all.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Al is easily one of the --- if not the --- brightest people in the field of music

What in the motherfuck are you smart marks on? Does too much wrestling impair one's vision on popular culture? I wouldn't necessarily call "Amish Paradise" bright or genius. I don't even consider funny. Heck, its not even listenable. But what can I expect from wrestling fans? The only exposure they have to music is the entrance themes that their favourite wrestlers come out to.

[justsoyouknow 0]

Weird Al was funny when I was in sixth grade. Still, sad news.

[Nighthawk 0]

Al is easily one of the --- if not the --- brightest people in the field of music

What in the motherfuck are you smart marks on? Does too much wrestling impair one's vision on popular culture? I wouldn't necessarily call "Amish Paradise" bright or genius. I don't even consider funny. Heck, its not even listenable. But what can I expect from wrestling fans? The only exposure they have to music is the entrance themes that their favourite wrestlers come out to.

He's refering to Al "offstage", and he is rather sharp personally. He's still talking out of his ass though. The brightest person in the field of music? That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard.

[Guest Dids]

The brightest person in music is most obviously Flavor Flav.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I don't agree with Mike on much, but I agree with him here. Weird Al is one of the most versatile musicians around. In one concert he'll perform about six or seven different musical styles.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

I don't agree with Mike on much, but I agree with him here. Weird Al is one of the most versatile musicians around. In one concert he'll perform about six or seven different musical styles.

I never knew porn and baseball made one stupid.

[Vern Gagne 0]

You could see where Weird Al got his music and comedic talent watching his Behind the Music.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I loved his fake interview with Eminem. I was really hoping for some kind of celebrity feud there, because Weird Al would be a hilarious person to fight with.

 

He's pretty clever, but I wouldn't call him a supreme musical genius or anything.

 

UHF will forever be the shit, however.

[River City Rocker 0]

Al is easily one of the --- if not the --- brightest people in the field of music

What in the motherfuck are you smart marks on?

I believe he meant Al as a human being, and not judging him solely on his talent, or the music he's released. It's good to know that Al still has time for the fans, and genuinely comes across as a likeable person, instead of turning into a raging egomaniac who throws backstage tantrums over the slightest things, and acts like he's much better than he really is.

 

But really, before his parents' tragic death, has Al really suffered a major setback or tragedy during his career?

 

-Ben

[Dr. Tom 0]

How can anyone not say Weird Al is a brilliant, accomplished musician? I think people look past him because he writes song parodies, but he's come up with some very funny and witty songs over the years. Add to this the fact that he writes and performs in many very different musical styles. Just because he writes funny songs doesn't mean he's not a tremendous musician.

[Nighthawk 0]

I, for one, never said he wasn't, but he's a far cry from "best in music."

[Kapoutman 0]

How can anyone not say Weird Al is a brilliant, accomplished musician? I think people look past him because he writes song parodies, but he's come up with some very funny and witty songs over the years. Add to this the fact that he writes and performs in many very different musical styles. Just because he writes funny songs doesn't mean he's not a tremendous musician.

Agreed with that. Weird Al is a great entertainer.