Beastie Boys Co-Founder Adam Yauch Dies Of Cancer

[News_Editor]

Beastie Boys co-founder Adam Yauch dies of cancer < br /> 2012-05-05 07:03:33 GMT+7 (ICT) NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Rapper Adam Yauch, a co-founder of the Grammy-winning hip hop group the Beastie Boys, died in his native New York City on Friday morning after a long battle with a rare form of cancer, his publicist said in a statement. He was 47 years old.Yauch, from the New York City borough of Brooklyn, co-founded the Beastie Boys in 1979 along with Mike Diamond, or 'Mike D', and Adam Horowitz who is known as 'Ad-Rock'. Yauch himself was best known by his stage name MCA."It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer," the band's New York-based publicist said in a statement.Beginning their musical career as a hardcore punk band, the group had initial success in the local music scene. But after experimenting with hip hop, the group ultimately gained worldwide fame with their 1986 debut album 'Licensed to Ill'. The album was the first hip hop album ever to top the Billboard 200.The Beastie Boys went on to sell over 40 million records, release four number 1 albums (including 'Licensed to Ill'), win three Grammys, and win the MTV Video Vanguard Lifetime Achievement award. Last month, the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Diamond and Horovitz reading an acceptance speech on behalf of Yauch, who was unable to attend due to his illness.In July 2009, Yauch announced in a YouTube video that he had to undergo surgery and radiation treatment for cancer in the parotid gland in his neck. "It is something that is very treatable and in most cases they are able to completely get rid of it and people don't have continuing problems with it and they caught it early and it is not anywhere else in my body," he said at the time. "So that is the good news."Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen and his daughter Tenzin Losel, as well as his parents Frances and Noel Yauch.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-05-05

[JimmyTheMook]

I was and will remain a huge fan.

[submaniac]

I am heartbroken. I literally grew up with the Beastie Boys and remember listening to them in grade school through college and now. He was too young to go, and had too much music left to create.

[telldem]

R.I.P

[TheWalkingMan]

I remember when 'Licensed to Ill' came out. Great album.

RIP

[TAWP]

Oh, wow, I had fallen out with news about the group recently so I didn't even know he was struck by cancer - sad news, I grew up with their music and they were influential.

[sms747]

Never heard of him, too young to die though.

[how241]

I was and will remain a huge fan.

+1...Scary with they die so young. Makes you think.

[Zatoichi]

I remember when they came out, I was just like 9 or 10 and along with Run DMC theirs was one of the first cassets I ever bought (licensed to ill) Fight for your right to Party was one of the first Rap videos MTV ever played as well. Saw em in concert 10+ years later, and still loved em.

R.I.P. MCA, and where ever you are may the Brass Monkey flow eternally on tap with fly b*tches and great weed.

[mca]

Saw the Beastie Boys and Run DMC on the "Together Forever" tour at Hammersmith Odeon in the mid-80s. Great entertainment.

BTW my TVF username hasn't got anything to do with the late MCA.

[geriatrickid]

I'm not much of a Chris Martin fan, but his tribute was touching. An original take that came from the heart. Adam would have smiled at this,

[Scott]

An off-topic post making unsubstantiated speculation about his death has been removed.