Rubén was born on December 26 in San Rafael, California. He began piano at the age of ten. In high school, he was in the school orchestra. Later in life, Rubén was a member of the award-winning Cabrillo College Big Band. He has led the popular jazz/funk fusion group Rush Hour. Rubén was soon touring with big names such as Santana, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Natalie Cole, Tower of Power, Chick Corea, Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others. He first started working with "Weird Al" Yankovic in October of 1991 for Dr. Demento's 20th Anniversary. Since then, Rubén has been working with Al on albums and tours. He was the keyboardist for the Alapalooza Tour, Off The Deep End Tour, Bad Hair Tour, Touring With Scissors and the Poodle Hat Tour. And, was on all of Al's albums at least once since Alapalooza. Rubén has become very well known as, well I guess the only way to put it is "goofball" of the band to all of the fans. He is known for his conebra apperaence when he and Al do Like a Surgeon-Truth Or Dare version, and when he dresses up like darth vader and becomes "Darth Ruben". At every concert you can always expect Al to poke fun at Rubén...or Rubén just poking fun at himself. When not touring, Rubén is writing and producing in the studio. Find out more about Ruben at http://www.rubenvaltierra.com or http://weirdal.com.

Quick Facts:

Full name: Ruben Valtierra
Shoe size: 8.5
Height: 5'7

*Both of the pictures on this page were taken by me after the Rockford, IL concert on August 23, 2003. Please do not use without my permission