# Weird Al's parents found dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 10, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343 "2004-04-10T17:44:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/21 "2004-04-12T18:07:52Z")
I know it sounds heartless, but I couldn’t help thinking of the line, “To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” That has to be heartbreaking for Al, but drifting off to eternal sleep with your spouse after a long and happy life is an ideal way to die, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Milburn\_Drysdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs\_Milburn\_Drysdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Milburn_Drysdale)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/22 "2004-04-13T20:37:50Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > For some reason I thought Al was a son of [Frankie Yankovic](http://www.polkas.com/yankovic/yankbio.htm) (_America’s Polka King_). I suppose I just thought this because there can’t be that many people named Yankovic in this country who play the accordion professionally. Does anybody know if there is a relationship there? I always thought so, too! ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/23 "2004-04-13T20:44:27Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > That has to be heartbreaking for Al, but drifting off to eternal sleep with your spouse after a long and happy life is an ideal way to die, IMO. Plus, how many parents can look back on their life and say, “We have a son who has touched people’s hearts by singing ‘You make me want to staple bagels to my face’.”? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/24 "2004-04-14T00:26:18Z")
I will be seeing Al tomorrow night here in Topeka, Kansas, at the **T** opeka **P** erforming **A** rts **C** enter. On Friday evening I learned he would be appearing, and I decided to buy a ticket on Monday, when the office re-opened. Then I heard about the death of Al’s folks and figured he would not be here. but it was announced both on TV, and in the Topeka newspaper, that he would still fill his performance dates. What a trouper. My mother saw a picture of Al, announcing his appearance. He’s in an ultra-formal white tux and jacket, with that _long_ curling hair. She had never heard of him and asked curiously what he did. I hope that however they get Al into the TPAC, they get him in a door where Fred Phelps is _ **not** _. Phred and his crew picket many TPAC performances, and they wouldn’t hesitate to use the memory of Al’s parents to hurt him(or anyone, for that matter) ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/25 "2004-04-15T00:37:34Z")
Fred Phelps would only picket it if Al or his parents were openly “gay-friendly”. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/26 "2004-04-15T04:03:06Z")
From [Weird Al’s letter to his fans](http://www.weirdal.com/msg.htm): "Many people have wondered what’s 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, I’ve 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 don’t 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.” Me again. I’m speechless and sad. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/27 "2004-04-15T04:52:25Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > Fred Phelps would only picket it if Al or his parents were openly “gay-friendly”. **tracer** , I just got back a short while ago from Al’s concert here in Topeka, Kansas. The Phelp’s were indeed there. Those loons only are looking for a crowd to “evangelize”. They are equal opportunity haters. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/28 "2004-04-15T06:58:45Z")
> [@pesch](#): > > From [Weird Al’s letter to his fans](http://www.weirdal.com/msg.htm): > "I don’t 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. " Wow that’s such a tragic thing to hear from a guy like Weird Al. Positively heart wrenching ☹ ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/29 "2004-04-18T17:06:27Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > **tracer** , I just got back a short while ago from Al’s concert here in Topeka, Kansas. The Phelp’s were indeed there. :eek: > [@](#): > > Those loons only are looking for a crowd to “evangelize”. They are equal opportunity haters. Huh. I guess they were looking to expand their “market” beyond the usual gay-bashing crowd. Please tell me they weren’t so crass as to be carrying signs that said “Weird Al’s parents are burning in hell”! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343/30 "2004-04-18T18:07:30Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > :eek: > Huh. I guess they were looking to expand their “market” beyond the usual gay-bashing crowd. > > Please tell me they weren’t so crass as to be carrying signs that said “Weird Al’s parents are burning in hell”! No, **tracer** , they didn’t have anything like that, although I wouldn’t have been surprised if they _had_. There were only four of them, with the usual signs, plus the upside down flag. And the Phelps loons have never needed even a hint of “gay friendly” to picket something. All they care about is numbers and exposure. I should know, I used to do a lot a counter picketing against them. I’ll tell you a story about my email address. The first three letters, chw, are an acronym. When I used to help a local Episcopal church counter picket against the WBC, Fred used to rail against us hysterically for cutting our hair. He said it was unBiblical for a woman not to have long hairl. So when I finally got a computer I decided to include the chw, which stands for an insult he hurled at us… It means “ **c** rop **h** eaded **w** hore.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-parents-found-dead/239343.md?page=1)