Adam 'MCA' Yauch of the Beastie Boys dies at 47

[No Elephants]

(CNN) -- <snip>

Yauch revealed in 2009 that he had a cancerous tumor in a salivary gland. As a result, the band canceled its scheduled concerts and delayed the release of an album.

<snip>

The Beastie Boys, who blended punk and rap, burst on the music scene in 1986 with the album "Licensed to Ill," which included hits such as "(You Gotta) Fight for the Right (to Party"), an anthem to teen angst; "Brass Monkey" and "No Sleep Till Brooklyn."

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Yauch was unable to attend the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last month. Horovitz read Yauch's acceptance letter.

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Yauch converted to Buddism in the 1990s after visiting Nepal and hearing the Dalai Lama speak in Arizona, he told the Buddhist magazine Shambhala sun in 1995.

Interesting story about him and his work to free Tibet. http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/04/showbiz/beastie-boys-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

They were originally known as the first white rappers.

One of my family members went to elementary school with Adam Horowitz and has remained in contact with him ever since, still having dinner with him every now and again to this day, even though they spend most of their time on opposite coasts.

Horowitz and the other Beasties seem like extremely nice people. They regretted some of the lyrics of their youth and changed them when touring later on.

[ellisonz]

1. R.I.P. Adam Yauch