Adam Yauch (MCA) Of The Beastie Boys Dies
Credit: Getty
Adam Yauch, one of the founding member of the Beastie Boys, died Friday at 47, in New York after having battled cancer for nearly three-years.
Yauch who was known by his stage name MCA, was just inducted just into the Rock and Hall of Fame last month but was too ill to join bandmates Mike ‘Mike D’ Diamond and Adam ‘Ad-Rock’ Horovitz at their induction ceremony.
His publicist released a statement confirming the news this afternoon which read:
“‘It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch … passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer.”
Celebrities took to Twitter to express their sadness over the loss, Reverend Run from Run-D.M.C. tweeted, “I’m devastated. Praying for Adam Yauch’s family from the legendary Beastie Boys. You’ll be missed!” Justin Timberlake followed by tweeting: “Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch’s passing. A true pioneer of art.”
“Adam was incredibly sweet and the most sensitive artist who I loved dearly,” says Russell Simmons, a mentor and the band’s early manager. “I was always inspired by his work. He will be missed by all of us.”
Yauch is survived by his wife, Dechen Wangdu, and his 14-year-old daughter, Tenzin Losel Yauch.
