One of the great things about Riot Fest is its distinctive sense of humor that feels so pervasive around Douglas Park each year. Whether it’s slapping tongue-in-cheek nametags on porta potties (like “Turdstile”, “Clogging Molly”, etc.), a giant “butter” statue of John Stamos (rumor has it he may actually show up this year), you name it, comedy is a big part of what gives Riot Fest it’s subtly subversive personality. Which is why having Weird Al Yankovic on the bill this year particularly seems like a match made in heaven. Indeed, Riot Fest has even dedicated an entire stage for Mr. Yankovic and his supporting cast of oddball bands (like Sparks, Puddles Pity Party, Mac Sabbath, etc.), which will no doubt make the “Weird Al” stage a prime attraction Friday afternoon/evening. So, to help whet your appetite for all the hijinks to come on that front, we dug up Weird Al’s very first national TV appearance which came courtesy of The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder way back in 1981. In this performance of “Another One Rides the Bus”, we find Weird Al before he became a household name, armed with only his trademarked accordion and his inherent quirkiness, it’s all his wonderfully goofy glory. Check it out:
