The death of Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch has resulted in innumerable tributes from Coldplay, Thom Yorke and Jimmy Fallon, amongst others. While twitter has been inundated with celebrity tweets of compassion, here are a couple of other tributes that go beyond 140 characters or less. This is by no means comprehensive.
Coldplay paid tribute last night at The Hollywood Bowl, with a piano-led rendition of “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party).”
Jimmy Fallon and The Roots paid tribute to MCA, saying “He was a huge influence on me and millions of people around the world… a great performer, director, father, humanitarian and New Yorker” before showing a clip of the Beastie Boys’ 2009 performance on the show. The Roots performed “Sure Shot,” “Remote Control” and “Sabotage” in between breaks.
An earlier, Conan-hosted performance on Late Night:
Thom Yorke posted the following tribute on Radiohead’s website:
I was very sad to hear the news of Adam Yauch’s death yesterday. We looked up to the Beastie Boys a lot when we were starting out and how they maintained artistic control making wicked records but still were on a major label, and the Tibetan Freedom Concerts they organized had a very big influence on me personally and the way Adam conducted himself and dealt with it all impressed me a lot. He was a mellow and v smart guy. May he rest in peace.
Hilltop Hoods will also honour Yauch at Groovin the Moo in Bendigo tonight with a finale tribute cover:
“The Beastie Boys were a massive influence on us. Their use of live instruments and samples changed how we viewed music. We are indebted to them for our success. We’re planning to play the song Jimmy James at the end of our set.”
Jay-Z gave a more succinct statement:
May a great musical pioneer rest in peace. Our prayers go out to his family, as his hip hop family mourns our loss and celebrates his life.
Eminem released this:
Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it’s obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others. They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D., and Ad-Rock
Nas this:
“One of my greatest moments in music was when I worked with the Beastie Boys…Now today I’m hearing our brother is gone. I prayed this would not happen .. MCA was so cool, man. We had great talks about what it was like for them in the beginning, getting into the rap game. I’ll never forget that experience for the rest of my life. MCA is true legend who influenced me. God bless his soul and his loved ones.”
And Chuck D – who’s in Australia – this:
“Last night, I took a 14 hour flight to Sydney, Australia from LA, embarking on PE’s 80th tour in 25 years. I just landed to 65 texts with the news. Adam and the Boys put us on out first tour 25 years and 79 tours ago. They were essential to our beginning, middle and today. Adam especially was unbelievable in our support from then ’til now, even allowing me to induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I consider myself a strong man and my father says be prepared to lose many in your post-50 path of life. Still, I’m a bit teary-eyed leaving this plane.”
And a representative of The Dalai Lama issued this sage nugget:
Adam had helped us raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people by organizing various freedom Tibet concerts and he will be remembered by his holiness and the Tibetan people.
