Adam Yauch “MCA” of the Beastie Boys passed away on Friday morning, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 47. In July of 2009, he revealed that he had a tumor in his salivary gland. Last year, there were reports that MCA’s condition was improving, but in a message to fans, he said those reports were premature.
He said, “While I’m grateful for all the positive energy people are sending my way, reports of my being totally cancer-free are exaggerated. I’m continuing treatment, staying optimistic, and hoping to be cancer-free in the near future.”
MCA wasn’t able to make the Beastie Boys’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last month and in his absence, the group opted not to perform. MCA started the Beastie Boys with his friends Mike Diamond a.k.a. “Mike D” and Adam Horowitz a.k.a. “Ad-Rock” in 1979.
Their most recent album, Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2, was released last May. It’s too soon to say how or if the Beastie Boys will continue. There’s been no comment yet from Mike D or Ad-Rock.
