Melissa Nunez
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You wouldn’t think someone could strike genius in a bathroom — but Weird Al did.
Alfred Yankovic, more commonly known as “Weird Al,” graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in architecture. But he found his calling in writing original comedy songs and parodies of popular songs. A former KCPR DJ, he recorded his song “My Bologna” in a bathroom in Graphic Arts (building 26).
He adopted the name “Weird Al” while at Cal Poly in 1976 and has since created his fame through his comedic lyrics and music videos. So far, he’s released 15 albums. His latest, Mandatory Fun, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200. It includes parodies of Robin Thicke’s and Pharrell Williams’ “Blurred Lines” and Lorde’s “Royals.”
Check out his music videos from the ’80s to the present.
1983 – “I love Rocky Road,” parody of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock n Roll”
1985 – “Like a Surgeon,” parody of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”
1988 -“Fat,” parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad”
1992 – “Smells Like Nirvana,” parody of Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit”
1999 – “The Saga Begins,” parody of Don McLean’s “American Pie”
2006 – “White and Nerdy,” parody of Chamillionaire’s “Ridin”
2011 – “Perform This Way,” parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way”
2014 – “Tacky,” parody of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”