People who know him actually say that he isn’t “Weird” in real life.
He actually gets the permission of the writers and the artists of the song he parodies.
Heck, the artists consider it an HONOR to be parodied by him.
The only two entertainers I know who refused to give him permission were Paul McCartney and Prince.
He got permission form Coolio to parody his "Gangsta Paradise." When his "Amish Paradise" came out Coolio thought it made fun of his creative effort and began telling everyone that he never gave permission for Al to do it. Al said later, "Well, he is cashing the checks I send him."
“He actually gets the permission of the writers and the artists of the song he parodies.”
Just for the record, copyright law does not require permission from the original author/composer for parodies. Al does it as a courtesy to the artist.
“The only two entertainers I know who refused to give him permission were Paul McCartney and Prince.”
Sort of along these lines, Jimmy Page also refused permission for a Led Zeppelin polka medley.
I saw an interview of Al. Comes off as a very normal, ordinary guy.