RIP MCA

We are losing far too many folks from the music world of late. News came earlier today of the passing of Adam Yauch A.K.A. MCA of the Beastie Boys. The hip hop pioneer had been fighting cancer for several years. He was 47.

In the early 1980s Yauch formed the Beastie Boys with Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), Mike Diamond (Mike D) and Michael Schwartz (Mixmaster Mike) - and changed the face and style of music for decades afterward. I first encountered them in college with the novelty tune "Cooky Puss," and a year or so later when I saw the music video for "She's On It," I was hooked, a Beastie fan for life.

We've lost one of the fun, funky and forceful voices of my generation, MCA will be missed.