Wierd Al's parents found dead

I wonder if this will have a big impact on the performers' humor at all........

http://entertainment.msn.com/news/ar...px?news=155375

Parents of 'Weird Al' Found Dead
Apr 12, 7:32 AM EST

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The elderly parents of Grammy-winning recording artist "Weird Al" Yankovic were found dead in their home, apparently victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, officials said.

Nick and Mary Yankovic were found dead Friday in their suburban San Diego home by relatives who were worried because they had not seen the couple in a while, said sheriff's Sgt. Conrad Grayson.

Paramedics found Nick Yankovic, 86, in a chair in the front living room.

His 81-year-old wife was on the bathroom floor.

A wood fire had been set recently in the fireplace, Grayson said.

"The house was full of smoke when they opened the door," Grayson said, adding that the family members found the flue closed.

"Weird Al" Yankovic, 44, had no comment during a performance in Mankato, Minn., on Saturday night.

Before the show, a graphic projected on the screens at the back of the stage dedicated the evening to his parents, KTOE-AM reported. Yankovic also canceled a meet-and-greet with selected fans.

A neighbor described Yankovic's parents as nice people who were proud of their son.

"Everybody who came to the neighborhood knew Nick," said John Buehman, who lives across the street. "They're going to be missed, big time."

Yankovic was scheduled to appear Monday in Grand Forks, N.D., as part of a tour for his new album, "Poodle Hat."

[yournamehere]

This is so sad.

If you don't have a carbon monoxide detector in your home - Go Get One!!
They're only about $30 at Home Depot. Change the batteries when you change your clocks twice a year.

[NoLa]

Very sad.

[bparker805]

I never thought I would see the day that I would actually feel sad for Al. He has brought me many a giggles over the years and I for one really feel for him in this difficult time he is facing.

[mattevil]

call me crazy but at least they lived pretty full lives,were proud of their son, didn't have to live without another, and didn't go slowly. Sad for Al though hope he can cope with it.

[Redlemon]

They seemed like very nice people, based on the Weird Al specials I have seen. For those of you who can't reach Al's overloaded website...

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

right on- there IS a serious side to Al- he cares and he is a warm-hearted person.

[moonstrucksoul]

too bad

[World's King]

Damn.

[Mephex]

Well, he hit it on the head. At least they both went together and without suffering.

[Giant Hamburger]

Hail Citizens!

My mother-in-law died two years ago by asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. If she had a detector she would still be alive today. As Yournamehere mentioned they cost a mere 30.00 American dollars.

Go forth and purchase one.
-GH

[SecretMethod70]

Yeah I read about this a few days ago - pretty sad. Glad to see Al's managing through it. So strange, cause Weird Al's one of those people you just don't expect bad things to happen to

[Kaos]

My prayers for Al and his family. They are lucky though, they lived full lives together and fully supported their son in all his endeavours. We should all be so lucky.

[skier]

30$ is a bargain price for your life. Go buy a monoxide detector!

I hope Al Yankovic can find peace in his heart for his parents.

[matteo101]

What a terrible and sad thing to happen. They will be in my prayers, and I hope that this can be used for people to gain awareness on carbon monoxide poisoning, and promote people to buy monoxide detectors.

[water_boy1999]

Wow, what a sad day indeed. I wish Al and his family all the best in these tough times.

[analog]

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.

That's about the most painful thing to have to live through... the pain, loss, and then the loneliness... it's very sad to hear, but for how they lived their lives, and how good people they appeared to be, this was almost fitting. Nice, quiet, painless, and together. Who else gets such a nice death?

[JStrider]

wow... that sucks... poor Al... hope it doesnt hurt his music too much...

[qtpye4u84]

WOW........That makes me sad. I feel so sorry for him. That must be really hard on him on the inside. I hope he has some one to comfort him.

[Redlemon]

Originally posted by qtpye4u84
WOW........That makes me sad. I feel so sorry for him. That must be really hard on him on the inside. I hope he has some one to comfort him.

Well, he has a very cute wife (there's "hidden" photos on the latest CD), and a new child. At least he has that.

[H12]

Oh man...for all the laughs that he's brought us, I never would have expected something like this to happen to the guy.

My prayers are with him.

[Evil Milkman]

Weird Al really is a class act. I feel so terrible for him. He brought me lots of great moments and laughs through years, how so very sad.

[quadro2000]

I have visited Weird Al's website for years. He has a section called Ask Al in which Al has always provided thoughtful, sometimes funny but also sometimes serious answers to fans' questions. After reading those, I got much more of a sense of the kind of guy he is behind all the parodies, and that just makes this all the more heartbreaking. I found his letter truly touching.

[anleja]

The first tape I ever bought was a Weird Al tape. Today a friend and I were quoting lines from his UHF movie.

You can tell what a great guy he is. He is able to make people laugh without resorting to cruel jokes. Wow, to lose both his parents at the same time must be terrible for him. I am very happy to hear he is still continuing the best he knows how to.

[Redjake]

while I have a general hatred for Weird Al, especially UHF, this seriously sucks. at least he is original (you know what I mean) and will stand up for what he produces even though his album sales aren't always the best. better than Puddle of Nickeldoors Down

[Date the Banana]

I remember when I was a kid, his music always cheered me up when I was down. I can attribute much of my sense of humour to his parodies. I don't really listen to the guy anymore, but I hope this doesn't affect his work. Kids today need to laugh too.