Alfred Matthew 'Weird Al' Yankovic, born October 23, 1959, in Downey, California, began his music career as a teenager submitting tapes to the Dr. Demento radio show. He adopted the 'Weird Al' moniker as a college DJ at California Polytechnic State University, where he recorded his first parody, 'My Bologna' (1979), spoofing The Knack's 'My Sharona.' After graduating with an architecture degree in 1980, he formed a band with bassist Steve Jay, guitarist Jim West, and drummer Bermuda Schwartz, releasing his debut album Weird Al Yankovic in 1983. Yankovic specializes in song parodies, original comedy tracks, and polka medleys, playing accordion alongside guitar, keyboards, and other instruments. Notable releases include 'Eat It' (1984, parody of Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'), 'Fat' (1988), 'Smells Like Nirvana' (1992), 'Amish Paradise' (1996), and albums like Even Worse (1988, platinum) and Mandatory Fun (2014, first No. 1 debut). He has sold over 12 million albums and won five Grammy Awards. His live performances feature over 1,000 shows, including tours like the 2015-2016 Mandatory World Tour (200 dates) and the 2018 Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour emphasizing original material without costumes or props.