The music industry and world is hit once again with another loss of a great artist. Adam Yauch, 47, also known as MCA of the legendary group the Beastie Boys has passed away in battle with cancer. In 2009, Yauch stated that he was diagnosed with a tumor in a parotid gland, yet felt optimistic about undergoing treatment due to catching it early. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Adam Yauch along with Adam Horovitz (King Ad-Rock) and Michael Diamond (Mike D) created some of the most seminal music in the past 30 years. Yauch, along with Micahel Diamond, John Berry and Kate Schellenbach, formed the Beastie Boys in 1979 originally as a punk group. After stepping away from the band in the early 80’s, John Berry was replaced by Adam Horovitz. The group went on to experiment with Hip-Hop thus catching the attention from a then university student Rick Rubin who went on to sign and produce the group’s monumental album “License to Ill” on Def Jam. A stream of successful albums followed including “Paul’s Boutique” (1989), “Check Your Head” (1992) and “Hello Nasty” (1998). The group’s final release was “Hot Sauce Committee Part Two” in 2011.
Adam Yauch will be greatly missed.