NEW CASTLE —
It is 11:54 a.m. on May 4, 2012, and I am sitting slacked jawed and in awe of the immense loss that has befallen the music industry, fans and the planet as a whole. I am in disbelief at the text message I just received from a friend and music industry insider stating that Adam “MCA” Yauch of Beastie Boys fame has died.
My heart has sunk and tears have welled up in my eyes because I feel as if I know this man personally.
Though we may have never met, MCA and the Beastie Boys were part of nearly every happy time I ever experienced. From wedding receptions and house parties to long road trips with a catalog of Beastie CDs, Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D were always at my side. They lifted my spirits when things were going bad and made the fun times even more special with their lyrics and “def” beats. My musical endeavors have, of course, oozed of their influence. From my humble home recordings to full blown bands it was in there lingering in the background. My last band, Twisted Thoughts, was even labeled as the “evil Beastie Boys” by fans and several publications and websites. A description that we wore with pride and humility, because to us even being mentioned in the same sentence as such icons was a crowning achievement.
Though many so-called legend have gone before, none have had such a far reaching influence on me and my generation as the Beastie Boys. None of these previously departed legends have continued to produce relevant music for over three decades. They had their moments of glory and faded into the chapters of history, but the B-Boys who started in 1981 as a sloppy punk band have evolved with time and have steadily influenced music for over 30 years. The Beasties transcended genre after genre and tore down racial walls that had existed in our society for decades. They revolutionized Hip-Hop, created rap-metal and developed the three MC sound. Their 1989 album, “Paul’s Boutique,” elevated sampling and found sounds to a high art form and forced other musicians to take notice of an extraordinary phenomenon that was about to take over the industry.
The Beastie Boys jubilantly embraced the video age with MCA at the helm and produced some of the most memorable music videos of the MTV and YouTube eras, a task that no other musical artist has ever achieved, nor ever will again. Their 1986 video for the song “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” has over 10 million plays on YouTube.
I'm sure there will be a well-deserved outpouring of admiration for MCA and the band. MCA would say, “Let the music and work speak for itself,” so I've spent the day listening to several of their albums and spent way too much time on YouTube watching every video they ever made and choking back the tears.
Adam was and is an icon who’s torch I pray never fades. The effects of his work will be felt for many, many years to come in-spite of the sobering fact that he will never be on wax again with his raspy rhymes or his uncanny sense of humor. His legacy will live on through the remaining Beastie Boys and his production company Oscilloscope Laboratories, which produced several noteworthy films including Oren Moverman’s military drama “The Messenger,” which received Oscar nominations for best original screenplay and best supporting actor, Woody Harrelson. Oscilloscope also produced the Banksy, and graffiti art propaganda film “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”
Oscilloscope, much like the B-Boys nurtured underground filmmakers, artists and creative minds and developed and atmosphere of creative experimentation.
MCA you were the inspiration of millions. Your talent was only matched by your compassion and humor. You were an amazing leader, a committed and uniquely concerned activist who truly did make a difference though your music.
Bon voyage, my friend.
News Bloggers
Related Photos
-
Adam 'MCA' Yauch of Beastie Boys
-
About Josh Drespling: Josh is a former graphic designer at The News. His blog appears each Saturday.
Discussion
Josh Drespling: We all be illin' — R.I.P., MCA
- News Bloggers
-
-
Gary Church: Dang! I missed out on meeting Pat Toomey — whoever that is
Sometimes I say "Yes" to something before I think about it. I received a call from The News office, wanting me to take photos of Pat Toomey's visit to the county courthouse. Very eager to do so, I said, "Yes!"
-
Mitchel Olszak: Snooping threat to the free press
In “All the President’s Men,” reporter Bob Woodward conducts late-night meetings with a source in a parking garage. That source, Deep Throat (later revealed to be high-ranking FBI official Mark Felt), was worried that he would be exposed as a tipster in the Watergate scandal.
-
Josh Drespling: Sick and tired of being sick and tired
I'm sick of being sick! It has been over a week now fighting this ungodly pestilence that has settled in my body. Despite my best efforts, this plague has taken a firm hold of every avenue of my being. It has become the most constant and present force in my life.
-
Gary Church: A REAL buffet for Father’s Day? Now that’s saying a mouthful!
My favorite thing about Mother’s Day is the buffet. I can do some real damage with a nice spread of food laid out before me. A good, homemade buffet can't be beat.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Want true gratification? Then delay it
Whether you are an athlete, an entrepreneur or a stay-at-home mom, you will be faced with dozens of temptations today. For better or for worse, your life depends on your choices.
-
Gary Church: A little trimmer is just the right fit for someone my age
There are definite signs in my life that show I'm really starting to age. I can't believe that I just bought a battery powered trimmer/edger. The gas trimmer I have now is 25 years old and very powerful.
-
Lisa Madras: I’ve still got plenty of questions, but now I have family to help answer them
What’s something new you’ve recently learned about yourself? Oh, happy day. I've been waiting my whole life to have a great answer to this question, and now that I finally do. I can hardly believe it myself.
-
Josh Drespling: Thank you, Mom. I’ve never said this before but ...
I'm a terrible son. I’ll can freely admit my shortcomings. Well, maybe not as awful as some. I've never been in prison or killed anyone (though I may have thought about it). I’ve never been a drug addict or a drunk. I remember most of the holidays, birthdays and celebrations and I'm capable of supporting myself and my family.
-
Gary Church: Gary the Governor? It’s starting to grow on me
Every day, while walking home from West Side School, I would pass the fire station on Smithfield Street. Twice a year, the fire station turned into the election place, where my parents voted.
-
Tim Kolodziej: You know, this isn't my day — and it's not yours either
“This isn’t my day.” I’m going to step out on a limb and guess you’ve heard that statement before. You may have even uttered it a time or two yourself. Maybe just this morning.
- More News Bloggers Headlines
-
