Jon Schwartz (drummer)
Encyclopedia
Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz is a drummer
best known for working with the singer-songwriter
"Weird Al" Yankovic
. The two met while recording "Another One Rides the Bus
" at the Dr. Demento
show on September 14, 1980. Shortly after, Yankovic invited Schwartz to join his band, gave him the nickname "Bermuda" (a play on words of tropical apparel Bermuda shorts
) and they have worked together ever since. Schwartz is heard and/or seen on all of Yankovic's albums, videos, and concerts.
, has recorded with countless top artists in Los Angeles and Nashville, and enjoyed lengthy associations touring and recording with Neil Diamond
and Mark Knopfler
.
Schwartz began drum lessons in 1965, and when his family moved to Los Angeles a few years later, he had decided to become a professional drummer and by the mid-1970s was drumming regularly with a few bands and doing some recording work.
Tour; a minor illness prevented him from playing the drums, and bassist Steve Jay
's friend and collaborator Pete Gallagher, who was working as a tech on that tour, sat-in on the drums while Schwartz handled the electronics, cues, and vocals from behind the drum riser.
Schwartz is also the official band historian, known for keeping meticulous lists and notes, and has archived an unsurpassed collection of unique retail and promo audio and video products from around the world that feature "Weird Al" Yankovic either as a performer, director, in a cameo appearance, or named or pictured on the product. Schwartz has an unmatched wealth of photos, memorabilia, and details on his career with Yankovic, and is regularly sourced for rare and behind-the-scenes images or other materials and information for TV shows, publications, and audio and video releases having to do with Yankovic.
In between Yankovic projects, Schwartz continues to play with other L.A.-area artists and bands and has worked with Rip Masters, Jim Silvers, Karling Abbeygate, the Black Plate Kings, Ray Campi
, Raymond And Scum
, ApologetiX
(specifically the album Biblical Graffiti, where he played drums on 7 of the trackshttp://www.apologetix.com/faq/faq-detail.php?faq_q_id=193), Lousy Little Gods, and Idle Hands.
The "You're Pitiful" and "Whatever You Like" singles were released as digital downloads only.
Gold and platinum records
The "Eat It" single reached the #1 position on the Australian singles chart in 1984.
The "White & Nerdy" single was certified platinum for digital downloads and gold for ringtone downloads in the U.S.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
best known for working with the singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
"Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
. The two met while recording "Another One Rides the Bus
Another One Rides the Bus
"Another One Rides the Bus" is a parody of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It originally was released on Yankovic's first EP and was later re-released on Yankovic' debut album.-Track listing:...
" at the Dr. Demento
Dr. Demento
Barret Eugene Hansen , better known as Dr. Demento, is a radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present....
show on September 14, 1980. Shortly after, Yankovic invited Schwartz to join his band, gave him the nickname "Bermuda" (a play on words of tropical apparel Bermuda shorts
Bermuda shorts
Bermuda Shorts, also known as walking shorts or dress shorts, are a particular type of short trousers, now widely worn as semi-casual attire by both men and women...
) and they have worked together ever since. Schwartz is heard and/or seen on all of Yankovic's albums, videos, and concerts.
Early life
Although born in Chicago, Schwartz grew up in Phoenix. He came from a musical family; his father played accordion, his mother was a singer and piano player, and his brother, session guitarist and producer Richard BennettRichard Bennett (guitarist)
Richard Bennett is a touring sideman, session veteran, and record producer. As a touring sideman, he performed with Neil Diamond for 17 years, and Mark Knopfler since 1994. As a session player, he has worked with artists ranging from Billy Joel and Barbra Streisand to Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill...
, has recorded with countless top artists in Los Angeles and Nashville, and enjoyed lengthy associations touring and recording with Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
and Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
.
Schwartz began drum lessons in 1965, and when his family moved to Los Angeles a few years later, he had decided to become a professional drummer and by the mid-1970s was drumming regularly with a few bands and doing some recording work.
Later life
Schwartz has played drums for every "Weird Al" Yankovic concert since 1981, except for three shows during the 2003 Poodle HatPoodle Hat
Poodle Hat is the Grammy Award-winning 11th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on May 20, 2003 on Volcano Records. The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The album was released on an Enhanced CD...
Tour; a minor illness prevented him from playing the drums, and bassist Steve Jay
Steve Jay
Eugene Stephen "Steve" Jay is a bass guitarist best known for working with the singer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic.Jay was born in Florida. He auditioned for Yankovic after answering an ad in the newspaper, and the two have worked together ever since...
's friend and collaborator Pete Gallagher, who was working as a tech on that tour, sat-in on the drums while Schwartz handled the electronics, cues, and vocals from behind the drum riser.
Schwartz is also the official band historian, known for keeping meticulous lists and notes, and has archived an unsurpassed collection of unique retail and promo audio and video products from around the world that feature "Weird Al" Yankovic either as a performer, director, in a cameo appearance, or named or pictured on the product. Schwartz has an unmatched wealth of photos, memorabilia, and details on his career with Yankovic, and is regularly sourced for rare and behind-the-scenes images or other materials and information for TV shows, publications, and audio and video releases having to do with Yankovic.
In between Yankovic projects, Schwartz continues to play with other L.A.-area artists and bands and has worked with Rip Masters, Jim Silvers, Karling Abbeygate, the Black Plate Kings, Ray Campi
Ray Campi
Ray Campi is a distinguished musician often called The King of Rockabilly. Campi's trademark is his white double bass, which he often jumps on top of and "rides" while playing....
, Raymond And Scum
Raymond And Scum
- The Background :Raymond and Scum is a comedy rock band based in Southern California. Vocalist Jeff Smith and guitarist Matthew Dunn formed the band while they were still in high school. Their songs were regularly played on the syndicated Dr. Demento Show. The duo regularly compose and sing...
, ApologetiX
ApologetiX
ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. The band is currently composed of J...
(specifically the album Biblical Graffiti, where he played drums on 7 of the trackshttp://www.apologetix.com/faq/faq-detail.php?faq_q_id=193), Lousy Little Gods, and Idle Hands.
As A Website Creator
Schwartz has enjoyed a respectable online presence since 1993. Schwartz began designing web sites in 1995, and grew it into a side-business that now includes other graphic design work such as CD layouts and book cover art. He also created The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Website in 1995, which later became weirdal.com. He continues to maintain it, along with his own site and several others. He is an administrator for the World Of "Weird Al" Yankovic Forum, and regularly participates in various drum-related forums (such as the Drumsmith forum) under the name "bermuda".Personal life
Schwartz and his wife Leslie live in Los Angeles with their dogs Pepper and Nigel.Discography
| 1983 | |
| "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D is the second studio album by American signer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on February 28, 1984, by Rock 'n Roll Records. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
1984 |
| Dare to Be Stupid Dare to Be Stupid Dare to Be Stupid is the third studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1985. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
1985 |
| Polka Party! Polka Party! Polka Party! is the fourth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1986. The album is the third of Yankovic's to be produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
1986 |
| Even Worse Even Worse Even Worse is the fifth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1988. The album was the fifth produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
1988 |
| "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits | 1988 |
| UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff is the sixth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. The album featured many music cuts from the film as well as some of the commercials and other parody bits... |
1989 |
| Off the Deep End Off the Deep End Off the Deep End is the seventh studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1992. This album was the first album self-produced by Yankovic, after six albums with Rick Derringer. Recorded between June 1990 and January 1992, the album was a follow-up to the unsuccessful soundtrack to Yankovic's... |
1992 |
| The Food Album The Food Album The Food Album is a compilation CD of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic that features songs about food. A similar compilation, The TV Album, was released in 1995 and featured some of his songs about television shows... |
1993 |
| Alapalooza Alapalooza Alapalooza is the eighth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1993. The cover sleeve is a spoof on the movie poster of the hit movie Jurassic Park. The name is a parody of the music festival Lollapalooza.... |
1993 |
| Permanent Record: Al in the Box Permanent Record: Al in the Box Permanent Record: Al in the Box is a four disc compilation boxed set of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It features his favorite songs from his first eight studio albums, plus alternate versions of "My Bologna", "Happy Birthday", "UHF", and the previously unavailable new single, "Headline News"... |
1994 |
| Greatest Hits Volume II | 1994 |
| The TV Album The TV Album The TV Album is a compilation CD of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic that features songs about television and TV shows. Yankovic's former record label, Scotti Brothers, released a similar album called The Food Album that contained songs about food.... |
1995 |
| Bad Hair Day Bad Hair Day Bad Hair Day is the 9th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1996. This album was the third studio album self-produced by Yankovic. The musical styles on Bad Hair Day are built around parodies and pastiches pop and rock music of the mid 1990s, targeting alternative rock and hip-hop... |
1996 |
| Running with Scissors Running with Scissors (album) Running with Scissors is the 10th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on June 29, 1999. The album contains the hit single "The Saga Begins", a parody of Don McLean's song "American Pie".-Details:... |
1999 |
| Poodle Hat Poodle Hat Poodle Hat is the Grammy Award-winning 11th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on May 20, 2003 on Volcano Records. The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The album was released on an Enhanced CD... |
2003 |
| Straight Outta Lynwood Straight Outta Lynwood Straight Outta Lynwood is the 12th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on September 26, 2006 in the U.S. by Volcano, on September 30, 2006 in Australia, on October 3 in Canada, on October 6, 2006 in New Zealand, November 13, 2006 in the United Kingdom, and November 24, 2006 in... |
2006 |
| Internet Leaks Internet Leaks Internet Leaks is the third EP from "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released digitally on August 25, 2009, although all of the songs were initially released as separate digital singles between October 2008 and August 2009... |
2009 |
| Alpocalypse Alpocalypse Alpocalypse is the thirteenth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on June 21, 2011. It is his first studio release in almost five years, following the release of Straight Outta Lynwood in 2006. It is also his first studio album since 1989's UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and... |
2011 |
| 2006 | |
| Whatever You Like Whatever You Like ("Weird Al" Yankovic song) "Whatever You Like" is the name of a song and single by "Weird Al" Yankovic, the first song from the digital EP Internet Leaks. It is a direct parody of a song of the same name by T.I.... |
2008 |
The "You're Pitiful" and "Whatever You Like" singles were released as digital downloads only.
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 Grammy Awards of 1985 The 27th Grammy Awards were held February 26, 1985, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1984.- Award winners :*Record of the Year... |
"Eat It Eat It "Eat It" is a hit single by parody artist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of the song "Beat It" by pop star Michael Jackson. The single reached #1 in Australia, and it was his highest-charting U.S. single on the Billboard Hot 100 at #12 until "White & Nerdy" peaked at #9 in October 2006... " |
Best Comedy Recording Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Won |
| 1985 Grammy Awards of 1986 The 28th Grammy Awards were held on February 25, 1986. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year, 1985.- Award winners :*Record of the Year**Quincy Jones for "We Are the World" performed by USA for Africa... |
Dare to Be Stupid Dare to Be Stupid Dare to Be Stupid is the third studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1985. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
Best Comedy Recording Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Nominated |
| 1987 Grammy Awards of 1988 The 30th Grammy Awards were held March 2, 1988. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.- Award winners :*Record of the Year**Paul Simon for "Graceland"*Album of the Year... |
Polka Party! Polka Party! Polka Party! is the fourth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1986. The album is the third of Yankovic's to be produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
Best Comedy Recording Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Nominated |
| 1988 Grammy Awards of 1989 The 31st Grammy Awards were held in 1989. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year**Linda Goldstein & Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy"*Album of the Year... |
"Fat Fat (song) "Fat" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "Bad" by Michael Jackson. It is the second parody Yankovic did of a Jackson song, the first being "Eat It", a parody of Jackson's "Beat It"... " |
Best Concept Music Video Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video The Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video was an honor presented to recording artists at the 30th Grammy Awards in 1988 and the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989 for quality concept music videos... |
Won |
| Even Worse Even Worse Even Worse is the fifth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1988. The album was the fifth produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer... |
Best Comedy Recording Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Nominated | |
| "Peter and the Wolf" | Best Recording for Children Grammy Award for Best Album for Children The Grammy Award for Best Album for Children has been awarded since 1959. Prior to 1992, the award was known as Best Recording for Children and was therefore open to any audio recording, whether it was an album, a single song, a recording of a book, or the audio from a television show or movie... |
Nominated | |
| 1992 Grammy Awards of 1993 The 35th Grammy Awards were held in 1993. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Eric Clapton was the night's big winner, winning 6 awards including Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year... |
Off The Deep End Off the Deep End Off the Deep End is the seventh studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1992. This album was the first album self-produced by Yankovic, after six albums with Rick Derringer. Recorded between June 1990 and January 1992, the album was a follow-up to the unsuccessful soundtrack to Yankovic's... |
Best Comedy Album Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Nominated |
| 2003 | Poodle Hat Poodle Hat Poodle Hat is the Grammy Award-winning 11th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on May 20, 2003 on Volcano Records. The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The album was released on an Enhanced CD... |
Best Comedy Album Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Won |
| 2006 | Straight Outta Lynwood Straight Outta Lynwood Straight Outta Lynwood is the 12th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on September 26, 2006 in the U.S. by Volcano, on September 30, 2006 in Australia, on October 3 in Canada, on October 6, 2006 in New Zealand, November 13, 2006 in the United Kingdom, and November 24, 2006 in... |
Best Surround Sound Album Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album The Grammy Award for "Best Surround Sound Album" was first awarded in 2005, as the first category in a new "Surround Sound" field.-Nominees::*An Evening With Dave Grusin... |
Nominated |
| Best Comedy Album Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album was awarded from yearly 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to present day. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1967 it was Best Comedy Performance... |
Nominated | ||
Gold and platinum records
| Recording | Gold | Platinum | Double Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Weird Al" Yankovic | U.S. | ||
| "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D | Canada U.S. |
U.S. |
|
| "Eat It" | Australia Canada U.S. |
||
| Dare to be Stupid | U.S. | U.S. | |
| Even Worse | Canada U.S. |
U.S. |
|
| "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits | Canada | ||
| Off the Deep End | Canada U.S. |
Canada U.S. |
|
| The Food Album | U.S. | ||
| Alapalooza | Canada U.S. |
Canada |
Canada |
| Greatest Hits Volume II | Canada | ||
| Bad Hair Day | Canada U.S. |
Canada U.S. |
|
| Running With Scissors | Australia Canada U.S. |
U.S. |
|
| Straight Outta Lynwood | U.S. | ||
| "White & Nerdy" | U.S. | U.S. |
The "Eat It" single reached the #1 position on the Australian singles chart in 1984.
The "White & Nerdy" single was certified platinum for digital downloads and gold for ringtone downloads in the U.S.
External links
- Bermuda Schwartz -Official
- Bermuda Schwartz from MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- WeirdAl.com