Weird Night at the Fair
Me and “Weird” Al Yankovic
Some time back the lovely and extremely talented Sandra Boynton commissioned me into doing a caricature of “Weird” Al Yankovic for his 50th birthday. I was deleighted to do it because
1. Sandra is one of my favorite cartoonists and a wonderful person, and I was flattered to be asked.
and
2. “Weird” Al is to music what MAD Magazine is to comics, and I’m a longtime admirer of his.
Here’s the complete story if you want more details.
Shortly after Al received the artwork I received an email from him saying how much he loved it and how he was going to frame it for his home. He also said to let him know if I ever was in an area where he was having a show, and he’d get us some tickets and backstage passes.
Gabrielle, Anna and Tom show off their aftershow passes
Last night he played at the Minnesota State Fair, and I took him up on his offer. The Lovely Anna, daughter Gabrielle, son Thomas and I went to the show and met Al afterward.
The show was fantastic and he was a terrific guy, signing autographs for us and posing for some pictures in his trailer. I brought along some prints of a scan of the final artwork I did for him. The following will be framed and hung in the studio somewhere:
His show really was terrific, and I highly recommend seeing him live someday if you get the chance. It’s an evening of belly laughs and great parody with a lot of fantastic music snuck in there… Al is a highly respected musician even if he is better known for his humor. A great showman! Thanks, “Weird” Al!
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“Weird” Al is awesome, it’s great you were able to meet him. I was always amazed at how he could combine clever parody with a wide range of musical styles and vocal talent. Most music artists sound the same from song to song….”Weird” Al’s work is a new experience every song. .oh…and I’ll never forget watching The Weird Al show as a kid for the brief time it was aired.
Jason is going to be soooo jealous!
That’s the most awesome thing ever. Weird Al is a musical and comedic genius. You’re so lucky.
Whoa! You got to meet Weird Al backstage? I am so jealous…
I’ve been a fan of his for years. I worked in the radio business and have met just about everyone of my musical idols, but never Weird Al!
Way to go!
Ryan
Weird Al, The MN State Fair, and family…PRICELESS! Great story, Tom. Ya sure that’s not Bucky under a wig, though?
That’s awesome, Tom! From what I gather (by watching interviews and everything) Weird Al seems like one of the nicest people out there in the music business. I was hoping to catch him last time he did a show here in St Pete, but wasn’t able to make it.
His concerts rock me silly. I’ve been to 4. Have all his cds. So Crazy jealous over the backstage passes though. When he came july 12 to St. Charles, MO. I did a caricature of him and his band. Tried to get him to sign it but could only leave it with him. Never got to see his mug in person. What a night. Long live Al!!
Great shot of you and Weird Al, Tom. Also, nice painting – I had not seen that.