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Founding Member of Famed Musical Group Dead at 47; the Group Was Just Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame This Year

May 4, 2012  •  Post A Comment

A founding member of a popular musical group that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year has died after a fight with cancer, TMZ.com reports.

Rapper Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, who used the stage name MCA as a member of the group, was 47.

He announced in 2009 that he was being treated for a cancerous parotid gland and lymph node, the story notes. He had been undergoing surgery and radiation therapy as part of his treatment.

It was not immediately known whether MCA’s death was related to the cancer.

The story reports: “MCA co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, and Ad Rock … and went on to churn out some of the most iconic albums in hip-hop … including ‘License to Ill,’ ‘Paul’s Boutique,’ ‘Check Your Head’ and ‘Ill Communication.’”

The group has not performed live since summer 2009.

Here’s the Beastie Boys’ music video “Make Some Noise,” released last year and featuring celebrity guests including Amy Poehler, Steve Buscemi, Kirsten Dunst, Zach Galifianakis, Orlando Bloom, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rashida Jones, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson and Jack Black:

2 Comments

  1. Another tragic death by the hands of cancer. RIP MCA

  2. The legacy of the music created by The Beastie Boys will live on continuing to become a timeless acoustical reference point in American pop history. Not many artists could have survived for example the two year legal sampling court battle that changed the music industry and showed every artist after them what and how to use samples and loops in creating new derivative works. Peace & Love, forever ” Pauls Boutique ”

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