RIP Adam "MCA" Yauch

Rap music pioneer Adam Yauch, better known as MCA from the Beastie Boys, died today at age 47 from cancer. Rock stars die almost every week it seems, but in the case of Adam Yauch, this rock star death is more significant.

Yauch was a co-founder of the Beastie Boys back in 1982 when the group was a four-piece hardcore group. As they ditched hardcore and discovered rap, the B-Boys became one of the most significant groups in pop music history. Their importance, not only to me, but to the world, is hard to overstate.

As a suburban kid growing up in the Midwest in the 1980s, I was not exposed to much "urban" or "street" culture (translation: black people stuff). I grew up on classic rock like KISS, Led Zep, and AC/DC, and by the mid 80's, I was definitely a metal kid. My first exposure to rap music, technically, came from Blondie's "Rapture;" but I was too young to really understand the references to Fab Five Freddy and all that. I remember seeing Run-DMC late one night on television, probably '85 or so, and not knowing what to think. But a year later, it all made sense.

The Beastie Boys really did take rap music from an urban, underground phenomenon to a mainstream one. This, obviously, had a lot to do with being white, and therefore getting more access to non-urban radio stations and to MTV. But the Beasties' whiteness, for lack of a better term, should not be equated with a watering down of authentic hip-hop to make it more palatable to whites. The Beasties were the real deal, and by the time of their second album, Paul's Boutique, you could not find a credible rap source - black or white - who did not agree.

In the early days of the B-Boys, many mocked the group and considered them to be either a joke or an insult to what had been an entirely black dominated style of music. But the band slowly changed its image over the years to reflect who they really were, as opposed to who they were trying to be. Their music and message evolved to such a degree that it is almost impossible to believe that it is the same three guys that created both 1985's "She's On It" and the 2011 album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.

Unlike many of the band's peers, however, the Beastie Boys were able to have a long and successful career. The group's albums began incorporating elements of and samples from jazz, rock, dance, disco, R&B, and pop. Lyrically, they were all over the place, too. The band effortlessly moved from the party rock themes of their first album, to more serious topics like 9/11 and Tibet on later releases. All the while, though, keeping the music fresh, funky and fun. The first single from HSCP2, "Make Some Noise," sounded like vintage B-Boys, like not a day had gone by since 1987. Fantastic stuff!

I have been listening to the music of the Beastie Boys for 25 years -- more than half my life. There are few things that I liked as a sophomore in high school that I still like today, at age 41. But, the Beastie Boys have stayed constant from my walkman days to my ipod days, and I imagine I will still be listening when we move on to the next way to play music. Timeless music is timeless music, and the Beastie Boys are timeless.

I'm going to pour out some of my 40 on the curb tonight in honor of MCA (first, I'll have to buy a 40, assuming I can find one), and play the Beastie Boys all night. I suggest you do the same.

 

 

 

  

  

 

R.I.P. Dick Clark

Television legend Dick Clark has died today at age 82. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Clark to the popular culture of the 20th century. His television dance show, American Bandstand, introduced rock 'n' roll music to millions of new people from all across the country. 

I have always believed that popular culture - mainly music, but also television, movies, and sports - had more to do with social change and progress in this country than any set of laws. It was kids of the "rock 'n' roll generation," who came of age in the late 1950s and early 1960s, who embraced what was essentially black music at a time when whites and blacks rarely inter-mingled. It became increasingly more difficult to hate someone when you listen to the same music or like the same athletes. Racists and opponents of change always understood this, which is why they were so opposed to rock music in the first place.

But this is not a sociology lecture, this is a blog post about the death of Dick Clark. By the time I came on the scene in the 1970s, American Bandstand was already an institution. Every major artist from the 1950s to the 1980s performed on the show, and countless records became hits after the AB audience said they liked it.

Looking back, the show seems so old fashioned and almost quaint. But, it was actually quite cutting edge in its day. I'm glad that I was able to grow up in the AB era. So long, Dick.

Ronnie Montrose's Death Ruled a Suicide

Very sad news. The passing of legendary rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose has been ruled a suicide. Montrose's wife told the media that he suffered from clinical depression for much of his life.

Rather than dwell on the end of his life, let's celebrate the man's music. Here is a video of Montrose (feat. Sammy Hagar) performing "Bad Motor Scooter" back in 1974.

D. Boon Passed Away 26 Years Ago Today

Today marks the 26th anniversary of the untimely passing of Minutemen frontman D. Boon. It is still a huge loss all these years later.

Goodbye, R.E.M.

R.E.M. 1980-2011

Legendary alternative rock band R.E.M. has announced it is breaking up. In an announcement posted on its website, R.E.M. said, "We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished."

Bummer.

R.I.P. Michael "Wurzel" Burston

Wurzel, guitarist for Motorhead from 1985-1995, has died at age 61 from a ventricular fibrillation. When he joined Motorhead in 1985, he ushered in the two guitarist period for the band. His first appearance with Motorhead was on its infamous performance on the classic UK comedy, The Young Ones.

Happy Birthday to D. Boon

D. Boon (April 1, 1958 - December 23, 1985) was the singer and guitarist for legendary punk band, Minutemen. He was also a political activist and an artist. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Boon to the music of today. His anthemic, politically charged songs created the blueprint for political bands that came afterward (i.e. Rage Against the Machine); while his sound (a mix of punk, funk, and hard rock) has inspired everyone from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Sonic Youth to Public Enemy and nearly everyone claiming to be playing "alternative rock."

Rolling Stone published an article last year called Remembering D. Boon and the Minutemen. Read it here.

Here is one of the best known and iconic Minutemen videos for "This Ain't No Picnic."

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

R.I.P. Suze Rotolo

To most, Suze Rotolo is the girl on the cover of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan album (Dylan's second, released in 1963). But Rotolo, who died yesterday from lung cancer, was Dylan's girlfriend from 1961-64. She had a profound impact on him, and is thought to be the inspiration behind many of Dylan's early, best songs. Her activism in the Civil Rights movement certainly affected Dylan. She was witness to almost the entire "folk period" of Dylan's long career, and wrote a book, A Freewheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties, detailing her time with Dylan and the early 60s folk music scene.

Rotolo went on to become a visual artist and teacher. She was 67 years old.

R.I.P. Don Kirshner

Influential song publisher, record producer and television host Don Kirshner has died. Kirshner is, perhaps, best known as the guy who provided the early Monkees' songs. He was hired by the producers of the Monkees television show to find songs that the band could pretend to perform on the show.

In the 1970s, Kirshner became known for the late night music show, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. The show was unlike anything else on TV in the early 70s and featured the top rock bands of the era performing live, and doing multiple songs.

Kirshner was 76. Here is a video of Black Sabbath performing on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in 1975.

R.I.P. Trish Keenan

Trish Keenan, front woman of UK duo Broadcast has died. The following statement was posted on the website of Broadcast's record label, Warp Records: 

"It is with great sadness we announce that Trish Keenan from Broadcast passed away at 9am this morning in hospital. She died from complications with pneumonia after battling the illness for two weeks in intensive care.

Our thoughts go out to James, Martin, her friends and her family and we request that the public respect their wishes for privacy at this time.

This is an untimely tragic loss and we will miss Trish dearly - a unique voice, an extraordinary talent and a beautiful human being. Rest in Peace."

R.I.P. Phil Kennemore

Phil Kennemore, bassist and founding member of 70s/80s hard rock band Y & T, lost his battle with cancer today.

A little background on Y & T: "Originally known as Yesterday and Today, Phil Kennemore rose to fame with Y&T in the 1970s, enjoying numerous hits and selling more than 4 million records worldwide before the group parted ways in 1991. Kennemore and Meniketti reformed the band in 1995 and played sporadically before an official reunion in 2001. The band released its 12th studio album, 'Facemelter,' in May 2010. The record marked their first studio album in 13 years."

Here is the video for the band's best known song, "Summertime Girls":

R.I.P. Gerry Rafferty

This is the only song I know by him, but it's a damn good one.

Listen to Some Eric Carr Today

Today is the 19th anniversary of the death of KISS drummer, Eric Carr. I am posting two videos here. The first is from Eric's first tour with KISS in 1980. It is a performance of "Black Diamond" from Sydney, Australia. The second is a home video shot by Eric from the hospital just a few days after having open heart surgery.

R.I.P. Ari Up

The Slits were punk rock pioneers in the 1970s

Ari Up, former lead singer of the legendary punk band The Slits, passed away yesterday at age 48. Up formed the band when she was only 14. Her stepfather, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten from Sex Pistols), broke the news on his website. R.I.P.

R.I.P. Bill Aucoin

Former KISS manager Bill Aucoin has died at age 66. He passed away from complications due to cancer.

Mr. Aucoin discovered KISS in 1973 while he was working as a television producer. Legend has it that Aucoin, who had never worked in music before, saw the band once and promised to land them a record deal within a week. He did.

Aucoin guided the band through its glory years in the 1970s, but by 1982, he and the band were no longer seeing eye to eye.

Mr. Aucoin also managed Billy Squier and Billy Idol, among others.

The following video features Bill talking about his time with KISS, and some great behind the scenes stories. There are a number of volumes. If you're a KISS fan, you'll want to watch them all.

This message was on KISS' official website today:

R.I.P. Gary Coleman

R.I.P. Guru (aka Keith Elam)

Groundbreaking U.S. rapper and Gang Starr co-founder Guru died Monday night, a month after the cancer-stricken artist collapsed and went into a coma, MTV reported.

The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Keith Elam, had been suffering from cancer for over a year. The report quoted a statement from Guru's camp that inferred the cause was complications from cancer.

“According to [producer] Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.”

Guru formed the group with DJ Premier in 1985, and they put out six albums, including the well-received "Daily Operation" and "Moment of Truth."

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

One of my musical heroes, Alex Chilton, has died. His death was apparently caused by a heart attack. Chilton had been complaining of health issues, but was still in rehearsals for a Saturday night appearance at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX.

To some, Chilton is best known for his time in the 60s pop group The Box Tops ("Soul Deep" "The Letter"), a band he joined at age 16. To others, he is best known for his 70s power-pop band Big Star. The highly influential band was largely ignored at the time, but had a major impact on 1980s alternative music artists like R.E.M. and The Replacements. Chilton performed and recorded as a solo artist before Big Star reformed in 1993 with help from The Posies.

I was fortunate enough to see Alex perform a couple of times. I saw him play a solo acoustic show in Minneapolis, and saw one of the earlier Big Star reunion shows in Chicago.

R.I.P. Alex. You will be missed.

R.I.P. Doug Fieger (The Knack)

Doug Fieger, lead singer of late 70s power-pop group The Knack died at age 57.