R.I.P. Adam Yauch

Well this sucks: Adam Yauch (center above), better know as MCA of the Beastie Boys, died yesterday at the far too young age of 47. To say I'm shocked would be an understatement. Absolutely gobsmacked would be closer to the truth. I can say with all honesty I never thought I'd outlive any of the Beastie Boys.

I was sort of on the tail end of the Beasties' demographic when they came on the scene. I was in my late twenties and a little long in the tooth to be fighting for my right to party. Still, I enjoyed their blend of hip-hop and rap immensely, especially the Paul's Boutique and Ill Communication era.

Heck, I wanted to BE a Beastie Boy. Who wouldn't want to have fun hanging out with their best friends, being goofy and creating music all day long?

In their later years the Beastie Boys toned down their party boy antics and became activists and philanthropists. Yauch in particular seemed to embrace this new role, becoming a Buddhist and founding the The Milarepa Fund, which organized fundraisers for the Free Tibet Movement as well as a 9/11 benefit concert.

Yauch is survived by a wife and daughter.

Damn, what a year. First we lost Davy Jones of The Monkees, then Dick Clark, then Jonathan Frid, Barnabas Collins from the original Dark Shadows. My childhood icons are all dying off, and I don't think I like it.