Adam Yauch a.k.a. MCA of The Beastie Boys has passed away at 47 after a three-year battle with cancer. Yauch, a self-taught bassist and vocalist, was the eldest of the trio, which also included Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Adrock” Horovitz. After dedicating a cancerous tumor in a salivary gland, the band cancelled scheduled concerts and delayed the release of an album. It was only a month ago when The Beastie Boys got inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
MCA is survived by his wife, Dechen, and a daughter.