His first top ten Billboard album ( Straight Outta Lynwood) and single (' White & Nerdy') were both released in 2006, nearly three decades into his career. His work has earned him five Grammy Awards and a further 11 nominations, four gold records, and six platinum records in the U.S. Since having a comedy song aired in 1976, Yankovic has sold more than 12 million albums (as of 2007 ), recorded more than 150 parodies and original songs, and performed more than 1,000 live shows. He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, as well as polka medleys of several popular songs, most of which feature his trademark accordion. Alfred Matthew 'Weird Al ' Yankovic ( / ˈ j æ ŋ k ə v ɪ k/ YANG-kə-vik born October 23, 1959) is an American singer, musician, and actor who is known for humorous songs that make light of pop culture and often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts.
