Adam Yauch
About
Biography
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Cinematography (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1978
Formed hardcore punk band The Young Aborigines in New York with Kate Schellenbach, John Berry, and Michael Diamond; later renamed the Beastie Boys
1981
Group performed first live show at Berry's loft
1983
Adam Horovitz joined group after Berry's departure
1985
Incorporated rap into group's sound; began longtime with DJ and producer Rick Rubin with the EP Rock Hard; band re-formed into a rap trio as Adam 'MCA' Yauch, Michael 'Mike D' Diamond, and Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz
1985
Appeared in the feature film "Krush Groove"
1985
The Beastie Boys opened for Madonna's "The Virgin Tour"
1986
Group released debut album Licensed to Ill under Rubin's Def Jam label; became first hip-hop album to top the Billboard 200 chart; included breakout single "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)"
1989
Sophomore album Paul's Boutique released under Capitol Records
1992
Returned to punk rock roots with third album Check Your Head, recorded in band's G-Son Studios in Atwater Village, CA; album featured hit single "So What'cha Want"
1992
Directed the music video for "So What'cha Want" using the pseudonym Nathanial Hörnblowér
1992
The Beastie Boys formed own label Grand Royal; signed artists Luscious Jackson and Sean Lennon to its roster
1994
Group's fourth studio album Ill Communication landed at No. 1 on Billboard, thanks to lead single "Sabotage"
1994
Co-founded the Milarepa Fund with activist Erin Potts, which raised money and awareness for Tibetan independence movement
1994
Band headlined at Lollapalooza music festival
1998
Added turntablist Mix Master Mike to band's lineup; released alternative-rap album Hello Nasty
1998
Executive produced feature documentary "Free Tibet"
1999
The Beastie Boys won Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Performance (Hello Nasty) and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Intergalactic")
2004
Launched film and distribution company in downtown Manhattan named Oscilloscope Laboratories
2004
Released chart-topping album To the 5 Boroughs with the Beastie Boys
2008
With the Beastie Boys, won Best Pop Instrumental Album Grammy for The Mix-Up (2007)
2009
Group went into more experimental direction with eighth studio album Hot Sauce Committee
2011
Directed a cast of comedy all-stars including Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and Seth Rogen in the short film "Fight for Your Right Revisited"
2012
The Beastie Boys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Yauch was unable to attend induction ceremony due to illness
