Adam "MCA" Yauch of the Beastie Boys Dies at 47

Adam Yauch, a founding member of the rap group Beastie Boys, died today at just 47 years old. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer since 2009, when a tumor was discovered in his salivary glands. The cancer delayed the release of "Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2," the most recent album by the Beastie Boys.

Part of the notice of Adam Yauch's death on the Beastie Boys website.

At the time of the diagnosis, statements indicated that Yauch thought the cancer was treatable and could be overcome. It's not been revealed if Adam Yauch's death was the direct result of the cancer that was diagnosed in 2009.

The Beastie Boys were the first rap group to have an album hit #1 on the charts—their first full-length effort, "Licensed to Ill," in 1986.

Yauch co-founded the Beastie Boys in 1979, along with friends Mike "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz.



The tributes have been coming in from far and wide in the music community, and beyond. (Dan Reilly of Spinner.com has collected a number of them here.) What's more, all starting players for the New York Mets have said that they will use Beastie Boys songs as their walk-up music tonight, it was reported tonight on Twitter.
 
Of course, the best way to pay tribute to Yauch is by listening to some of the music he created. You can hear an appearance that his bandmates made last year to KCRW radio, to celebrate the release of "Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2." Also check out a tribute to Adam Yauch that KCRW DJ Jason Bentley played today.

The Beastie Boys had a profound impact not only on hip hop but other types of music. And Adam Yauch put charitable causes, particularly the struggle for rights in Tibet, at the forefront of his non-musical efforts.

Rest in peace, MCA. Our condolences go out to his family and friends, and the other members of the Beastie Boys.

Jay-Z Replacing Beastie Boys as All Points West Headliner

The All Points West Festival has confirmed that Jay-Z will be its new headlining act for Friday, July 31st, replacing the Beastie Boys. That band had to cancel all its upcoming shows after Adam Yauch was diagnosed with a treatable form of salivary gland cancer.

APW says that this will be the first time that Jay-Z has played a U.S. festival; he has previously played several festivals in the U.K. and in Scandinavia.

Music News: Siren Fest Wrap, Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys Has Cancer, Scramble for Michael Jackson's Songs

News from rock to rap for this Monday...

Siren Festival: First off, I finally did make it to Coney Island's Siren Festival this year, but didn't get to the festivities until 5:30. So I missed a couple of acts I really wanted to see (Canada's Japandroids and Scotland's Frightened Rabbit), but I did get to see a bit of Grand Duchy (with Frank Black) as well as the full sets by The Raveonettes and headliners Built to Spill, which were enjoyable. I also got to catch a few songs from a band I wasn't familiar with, Brooklyn's own A Place to Bury Strangers.

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch has Cancer: The band is delaying its forthcoming album and canceling all upcoming tour dates because Adam "MCA" Yauch has been diagnosed with cancer of the salivary glands, it was announced today in a video on the Beastie Boys' Web site. Among other things, this means that the All Points West Festival in Liberty State Park has lost its headlining act for Friday, July 31st. The good news is that the cancer was caught early, is very treatable, and does not affect Yauch's voice, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Michael Jackson's Unreleased Songs Up for Grabs: Amid all the mysteries and unknowns surrounding Michael Jackson's untimely death, some are actually related to his music: such as what's going to happen to the estimated 150 unreleased Michael Jackson songs, says Business Week. The magazine says the material includes songs he recorded over the last decade, and a comeback album. Jackson's deal with Sony ended with the release of 2001's "Invincible" album, the article says, but it's not clear whether the Japanese firm may have rights to some of these unreleased tunes.

And speaking of Sony, it's come to light today that Sony is said to be bidding $50 million for the Michael Jackson rehearsal film for his "This Is It" tour.