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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.

Whitney Houston, the Queen of pop, has passed away at the age of 48. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating. Houston’s publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the cause of her death was unknown. Words can’t describe the impact she had on music and it’s really saddening to hear this news. She touched a lot of artists and this influence will surely continue. She sold 55 million records in the United States alone but she was recognized around the globe.

RIP Whitney Houston, August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012

A friend reminded me that today is James Dean’s birthday, a bit coincidental considering I was watching The James Dean Story a few days ago on Hulu. There’s much to be learned from a young man that was only twenty-four at the time of his death. The narration of the video was written by Stewart Stern, who wrote Rebel Without a Cause and befriended Dean, and the story tells what most didn’t know. There are two sides to a book and unfortunately, the side no one outside his close circle ever saw was that of a lonely individual. It takes him from his humble beginnings on a farm in Fairmount, Indiana to his Oscar-nominated roles in East of Eden and Giant, films that propelled him to stardom. The release of Giant was shortly after Dean’s death and the stars were out. It was the biggest Hollywood premiere of its time with many stars appearing including Marilyn Monroe.

The documentary released in 1957, roughly two years after his tragic car crash on September 30, 1955. The narrator was a bit bland but I still think many would benefit from learning more about James Dean. Happy Birthday to the Rebel Without a Cause. (more…)