New York-based Beastie Boys, Stevie Wonder, and The Cure were on our list of concerts we hoped would be happening while we were here in NYC (Stevie performed here a year ago, The Cure performed just one 1/2 month before we moved here, and the Beasties performed at the Madison Square Garden just a few years ago). The Beastie Boys in many ways defined the musical style and antics of our generation. And we almost got our chance to see Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock next week at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival.
Just yesterday as we were trying to get ticket info, I read the horrible news that Adam "MCA" Yauch has a cancerous tumor in his salivary gland. We FN HATE cancer!!! As expected, their performance at the All Points West festival and other upcoming shows has been canceled. Yauch announced the news himself on their website. Thankfully the tumor won't affect his vocal cords and the cancer was detected early. We wish him strength and a painless, fast recovery.
We're determined to see them soon (hopefully before they enter their 50s - not being sarcastic here). It'll be interesting to see them perform some of their old songs now that they're finally "grown ups." It seemed not that long ago that they were these young, free kids that we (as roudy kids) wanted to identify with. We wanted to lose ourselves, party to, and rebel against the authoritative adults with their music. It was fun music that they did brilliantly. It couldn't be recreated now by a younger generation. While we wait to see them perform, we're glad we can always turn to our favorite Beastie highlights: Hold it Now, Hit it, So What'cha Want, Pass the Mic, Sure Shot.