'Weird Al' Yankovic Honors "The King of Pop" Michael Jackson - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-13-2009, 12:48 PM

For the first time since Michael Jackson's death, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, the parody king who had some of his biggest hits spoofing the King of Pop's tunes, is speaking out about Jackson's tragic death.

"The first time around I pursued Michael Jackson about a song parody, it was a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter. He not only returned our phone calls, but he approved it. He thought it was a funny idea," Yankovic writes in a Rolling Stone tribute to Jackson.

For the first time since Michael Jackson's death, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, the parody king who had some of his biggest hits spoofing the King of Pop's tunes, is speaking out about Jackson's tragic death.

"The first time around I pursued Michael Jackson about a song parody, it was a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter. He not only returned our phone calls, but he approved it. He thought it was a funny idea," Yankovic writes in a Rolling Stone tribute to Jackson.

Weird Al Yankovic's Classic Michael Jackson Parodies

'Eat It'

'Fat'

"The first time I met him in person was long after I had gotten permission to do "Eat It" back in 1984. There's a contract somewhere that has his signature next to mine, proving that we are the co-writers of "Eat It," which is surrealistic in and of itself," Yankovic says.

He goes on to say that "seeing him [Jackson] in person was amazing, it was otherworldly. He was and continues to be so iconic, it's hard to even conceive of him as a human being. He always was bigger than life."

Yankovic also says he realizes just how much Jackson's songs impacted his own success. "I don't know what kind of career I would have today if it hadn't been for Michael Jackson. In a very real sense, he jump-started my career. 'Eat It' basically changed me from an unknown into a guy that got recognized at Burger King," Yankovic wrote.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/sto...on_as_flattery

catlover79 · 07-13-2009, 01:42 PM

What a sweet story. Thanks for posting it, Brian.

Schmoopie · 07-14-2009, 03:46 AM

That's nice and it's really nice to know that he approaches the original artist and songwriter before making a parody of the song. Otherwise it could be seen as an insult. Now that's a classy guy!

MrCleveland · 07-26-2009, 02:32 PM

Yankovic is the King of Parodies and he respects the people who he did song parodies to.

I hope he gets into the R&RHoF and has one of the Jacksons put him in there.

TJL · 07-26-2009, 02:46 PM

I follow Weird Al on Twitter and he was very sad when Jackson died. He said some nice things about him. He also said that he would still be an unknown if it wasn't for him.

catlover79 · 07-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I follow Weird Al on Twitter and he was very sad when Jackson died. He said some nice things about him. He also said that he would still be an unknown if it wasn't for him.

I love celebs who are humble and give others their due. Weird Al is that and more - a true class act.

Cactus Jack · 07-26-2009, 02:56 PM

I was wondering what he had to say,since his MJ parody is the reason he's famous now. Great story. MJ told him not to do a Black and White parody.he did it anyway and sometimes he performs it

browneyes106 · 07-26-2009, 11:27 PM

I love Weird Al's parodies.

Pitooey · 07-27-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I love celebs who are humble and give others their due. Weird Al is that and more - a true class act.

You've said everything I wanted to say Cat. He's a gentleman. My kind of guy.

catlover79 · 07-27-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitooey

You've said everything I wanted to say Cat. He's a gentleman. My kind of guy.

07-13-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Weird Al' Yankovic Honors "The King of Pop" Michael Jackson For the first time since Michael Jackson's death, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, the parody king who had some of his biggest hits spoofing the King of Pop's tunes, is speaking out about Jackson's tragic death. "The first time around I pursued Michael Jackson about a song parody, it was a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter. He not only returned our phone calls, but he approved it. He thought it was a funny idea," Yankovic writes in a Rolling Stone tribute to Jackson. For the first time since Michael Jackson's death, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, the parody king who had some of his biggest hits spoofing the King of Pop's tunes, is speaking out about Jackson's tragic death. "The first time around I pursued Michael Jackson about a song parody, it was a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter. He not only returned our phone calls, but he approved it. He thought it was a funny idea," Yankovic writes in a Rolling Stone tribute to Jackson. Weird Al Yankovic's Classic Michael Jackson Parodies 'Eat It' 'Fat' "The first time I met him in person was long after I had gotten permission to do "Eat It" back in 1984. There's a contract somewhere that has his signature next to mine, proving that we are the co-writers of "Eat It," which is surrealistic in and of itself," Yankovic says. He goes on to say that "seeing him [Jackson] in person was amazing, it was otherworldly. He was and continues to be so iconic, it's hard to even conceive of him as a human being. He always was bigger than life." Yankovic also says he realizes just how much Jackson's songs impacted his own success. "I don't know what kind of career I would have today if it hadn't been for Michael Jackson. In a very real sense, he jump-started my career. 'Eat It' basically changed me from an unknown into a guy that got recognized at Burger King," Yankovic wrote. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/sto...on_as_flattery
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07-13-2009, 01:42 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	What a sweet story. Thanks for posting it, Brian.
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07-14-2009, 03:46 AM	#3
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's nice and it's really nice to know that he approaches the original artist and songwriter before making a parody of the song. Otherwise it could be seen as an insult. Now that's a classy guy!
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07-26-2009, 02:32 PM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,234	Yankovic is the King of Parodies and he respects the people who he did song parodies to. I hope he gets into the R&RHoF and has one of the Jacksons put him in there.
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07-26-2009, 02:46 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I follow Weird Al on Twitter and he was very sad when Jackson died. He said some nice things about him. He also said that he would still be an unknown if it wasn't for him.
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07-26-2009, 02:56 PM	#7
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	I was wondering what he had to say,since his MJ parody is the reason he's famous now. Great story. MJ told him not to do a Black and White parody.he did it anyway and sometimes he performs it
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07-26-2009, 11:27 PM	#8
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I love Weird Al's parodies.