When Bill Burr is not busy being a family man, he indulges in three passions: comedy, drums and flying. He’s a household name when it comes to stand-up, which he’s been devoted to since making his debut on March 2, 1992. An irascible stage presence, like Don Rickles without an insult monomania, Burr created a blueprint for comedians to build their brands through podcasting while remaining authentic and reverent toward comics of previous generations.
Burr started his Monday Morning podcast in May 2007. It’s mostly him “checkin’ in with ya” and rambling about whatever is on his mind. It allows Burr to run off the excess energy that motivates him to perform, but it paved the way for Marc Maron, Joe Rogan and Kevin Hart to create successful podcasts. It also enabled him to start the All Things Comedy network with Al Madrigal in 2012.
In the introduction to a February episode of Fly on the Wall, Dana Carvey and David Spade’s podcast, Carvey described guest Burr as having an alpha power onstage while still coming off as “kind of cuddly.” It’s an apt description for the dentist’s son born in Greater Boston. Burr has street attitude that probably helped him survive high school, but he has a way of putting audiences at ease while executing his style of rage humor.
Burr has no patience for political correctness or social subterfuges. He thinks canceling dead people who can’t defend themselves is weak. He notoriously stood up to a rowdy Philadelphia crowd in 2008 that booed during his friend Dom Irrera’s set, counting down the minutes as he delivered as many Philly insults as he could think of.
That viral moment elevated Burr’s stand-up stature, and he was able to control his own public image through his podcast amidst talking sports, dropping F-bombs and cracking himself up. Burr’s clout grew to the point where he began being cast in major film and television productions such as The King of Staten Island and The Mandalorian.
He still fears the floor dropping out from under his career, which is rational considering the ups and downs of the comedians that came before him. His anxieties may have been alleviated somewhat when he became the first comedian to sell out Fenway Park in August. Burr sold out shows at Madison Square Garden, the Royal Albert Hall and the Los Angeles Forum prior to packing the historic Boston ballpark.
Burr has an affinity for extreme music and beating the drums. He has an open invitation from Al Jourgensen to play drums with Ministry in concert, which he can fly himself to as an experienced helicopter pilot. Steve O, who credits Burr with shaping his approach to stand-up, opens his latest tour with video depicting himself holding on to a rope ladder unfurled from a copter flown by Burr.
At 54, Burr has spoken about slowing down his pace, but don’t believe him. The comedian most respected by other comedians has a deep well of authentic, rage-powered material left to draw on.
Park MGM, 8 p.m. May 5-6, starting at $69 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
