On May 4, 2012, the music business lost a major power player in the form of Adam Yauch. I have always kept a list of the top 5 bands that I want to see live. With the passing of Yauch (also known as MCA), I will never get to see the Beastie Boys live. It is very depressing and I am really mad at myself that I never went to see them. Before Eminem was rapping about raping bitches, the Beastie Boys hit the hip hop scene in the mid-80s. Their debut album Licensed to Ill was released in 1986. It included hits (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) and No Sleep Till Brooklyn. Along with Yauch were Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) and turntablist Mix Master Mike.
A couple years ago, my sister and her husband told me that Mike D was Neil Diamond's son. After some intense research (AKA going onto wikipedia), I learned this to be false. Where do people come up with this shit?
Mike D Neil Diamond
Family Resemblance?
Two of my favorite Beastie Boys songs are Ch-Check It Out from their album To the 5 Boroughs and So What'cha Want from their album Check Your Head.
Yauch was a Buddhist and was involved in the Tibetan independence movement. He founded Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film production and distribution company (he directed some of the Beastie Boys music videos).
In 2009, Yauch was diagnosed and treated for a cancerous parotid gland and lymph node. He underwent treatment and radiation. In April 2012, the Beastie Boys were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, Yauch could not attend the ceremony.
On May 4, he passed away at the age of 47.
On May 4, he passed away at the age of 47.
Yauch has jump-started me into making the rest of my "music list" into a reality.
1. Radiohead
High and Dry from The Bends and All I Need from In Rainbows are my favs from them. A British alternative-rock band formed in 1985. Sometimes I think Thom Yorke speaks to my soul.
2. Coldplay
New Paradise from Mylo Xyloto, We Never Change from Parachutes, and The Scientist from A Rush of Blood to the Head are musts from them. Formed in 1996, these Beatles-esque foursome are another British alternative rock band hailing from England. The real question is this. Is Gwyneth the new Yoko?
Other than naming her kids Apple and Moses, I don't think she has done any real harm to the band.
Shallow Hal was punishment enough for all of us.
3. Florence + the Machine
An English indie-pop band fronting Florence Welch as the lead singer and a mix/match of other artists who provide backup music/vocals. Wait, another English band? I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Maybe I just need to move to London where I belong. Stalking Prince William one royal at a time. Anyway, new Shake It Out from Ceremonials and Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) from Lungs are hair-raising songs from her.
4. Jack Johnson
Folk-rocker Johnson can play his guitar to me all day long. To see him in concert, I'd like it to just be me and him in a dimly lit room, with a bottle of wine. Impossible? Yes.
My favs are Flake and Bubble Toes from Brushfire Fairytales and Posters from the Out Cold Soundtrack.
And he's from Hawaii. His wife is one lucky bitch.
5. 30 Seconds to Mars
My recent addition to the list since I lost Beastie Boys. You'll recognize Jared Leto as the lead singer. American rock band that loves eye liner and straighteners. A Beautiful Lie and The Kill from A Beautiful Lie are my favorites. Need to get caught up on there new releases!
What bands are on your list? I suggest you make one if you haven't already. What I like to call a "Yauch-inspired list".
You never know when your opportunity will pass.
If you have not seen this already, please watch. It is a celeb-infused video of the Beastie Boys re-visisted.
It is awesome.
The movie quote will come from a movie that Yauch's production company put out. It is an amazing, emotional war drama with award-winning performances from Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster.
"Civilian life's for people who ain't seen shit. It's too late for you, you've already seen the shit, you can't unsee it anymore. You can't be an insurance salesman now, brother, it's too fuckin' late."
-Captain Tony Stone played by Woody Harrelson in The Messenger.
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