Beastie Boys Book - Diamond/Horovitz

Title: Beastie Boys Book

Author: Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz

Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Library
Recommended if you like: Memoirs, Family and Loss, Celebrity Memoirs

 
What Its About: 

Always the idea man and motivator, Adam "MCA" Yauch expressed interest in putting out a Beastie Boys memoir prior to his death in 2012. Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "AD Rock" Horovitz fulfilled this dream for Yauch in typical Beastie fashion. Irreverent, fun and Beastie-like, this memoir alternates chapters including band narrative of Beastie Boys history and personal stories, along with copious photographs, playlists, song explanations, a cookbook, a comic strip, and more.

An homage to fellow Beastie Yauch, this memoir shares the story of how the Beastie came together in the 1980's, in connection with the hard-core punk and rap scenes of the 70's and 80's, and how they grew as artists and humans over the years.

Originally a three man/one woman band focused on playing hard core punk music, the Beasties found themselves leaning toward being more inventive and entertaining. Rap fit the bill. Def Jam Recordings, one of the premiere recording companies of the 70's rap scene with the likes of Run D.M.C. and LL Cool J, quickly signed them. With the guidance of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the Beasties quickly shed their female member (a process for which they apologize) and became a hit.

Over the years, the Beastie's sound has grown and matured. Their original album, License to Ill, was an ode to the B-Boy life, with cheap references to women and violence. The 1990's brought additional albums and a great deal of maturity for the Beastie Boys, who actually apologized for previous lyrics and behavior. Adam Yauch was seemingly the most effected, finding a calm and peace in his life after hiking in the Himalayas and meeting some Tibetan refugees. He parlayed that brief encounter into a burning passion for Buddhism and the Tibetan cause.

This memoir is fun and games, yet let's fans know that it's OK to grow, mature, and become an adult while still "fighting for your right to party".

The Bottom Line:
I really enjoyed reading this memoir and learning more about their lives then and now. If you were or are a fan, this is a must read!