That's really cool Steve.
I'm really down tonight. The Beastie Boys have been such a huge part of my life. Along with Run DMC, they were a very welcome breath of fresh air to my adolescent ears and eyes. To me they stand above almost all other bands of their generation. Their sound was always evolving. I think that's what I admired most about them. My favorite artists are ones who constantly evolve, Gerhard Richter, the Melvins, etc, etc. The Beasties were the first artists that I noticed doing this, never staying in one place and doing the same thing over and over again. They weren't cranking out an album every year, so when something new finally came out after several years drought it was a big event and it was always a treat, never ever a disappointment. There was never a reason to be nostalgic for the good old days or feel that they had "lost it". Their last album was as good as their first.
Something else worth mentioning is their sense of humor. Way too many people take themselves way too seriously, especially in rap music. These guys had a wicked sense of humor. They could be serious too, but I think you'd have a hard time finding any band having more fun than the Beastie Boys.
Losing MCA is a hard one. I knew he was sick, but had hoped or assumed he would be okay. It's not unlike when Layne Staley died in 2002, another artist I have a great amount of respect and admiration for. I guess I knew Layne's story wouldn't have a happy ending, but you always hope that someone will pull thru. I suppose it's naive, but you always hope. When death finally comes it's no less shocking. This is different though. I suppose every death is different, but when Layne went it was also a bit of a relief at the same time. This is closer to like when Jam Master Jay was murdered. A shock. Unexpected. Someone from your youth, you grew up watching, who made you so happy, so many more times than you can count.
I saw the Beastie Boys twice. First time was in 1998 in Kansas City. Tribe Called Quest opened, it was their farewell tour. That was right as I was finishing up college. In college friends would call me
the 4 Beastie Boy at times because I was so fucking obsessed with them. The show was good. Not great. I blame that review on myself looking back, my expectations were way too high. I had waited 12 years to see what was at the time the greatest thing in my mind to perform. I think I was expecting the second coming or something. They put on a good show, but I was not blown away. I had a chance to see them again in 2007, they were playing Brooklyn for the first time. They played McCarren Pool in Williamsburg. This time they blew me the fuck away. One of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I think they were amped to play their hometown and also their first show in Brooklyn, ever. It showed, they were electric. They were ON. Part of the way thru the show, MCA pulled DMC on stage, as if shit wasn't insane enough already, I nearly lost it at that moment. My 12 year old self was there and living the dream.
It's a strange feeling to
really mourn the loss of someone you never knew or even met. Yet he is such a huge part of your life. Earlier tonight I was having a conversation with my wife, I can't even remember what it was about. She looked at me and said "you've acting funny, what's wrong?" and I just welled up and said "MCA died". It's all I could think about. We had talked about it earlier, but I guess it was finally sinking in and there's something to be said for saying it outloud. She gave me a big hug and I used every ounce of my willpower to hold the tears in. I was mostly successful. This guy gave me so much. More than I could ever write or say.
Thank you Adam Yauch. Rest in piece.
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