Adam Launch, the 47-year old founder of Beastie Boys, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 47.
Beastie Boys - photo by Ros O'Gorman.
Adam’s mother Frances confirmed the news to the New York Times. She said her son, whose stage name is MCA, passed away on May 4.
Adam was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and has undergone surgery and radiation therapy to treat a cancerous parotid gland and lymph node.
It is reported that Adam’s demise is a result of his health issues.
Adam established the Beastie Boys in 1979 with Michael ‘Mike D’ Diamond, Adam ‘Ad-Rock’ Horovitz and Michael ‘Mix Master Mike’ Schwartz.
The Beastie Boys released their eighth studio album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in 2011.
Band member Ad-Rock spoke last year about the group’s plans not to schedule any tours in order to allow Adam to recuperate. The Beastie Boys believed that he would make a full recovery.
‘He’s doin’ OK,’ Adam told British newspaper The Guardian. ‘He’s still in treatment, so it’s not 100%. But things are lookin’ good. We’re not touring, we’re just getting the record out ‘ and we’re not making any plans until he is better. Which is definitely gonna happen.’
Adam was a vegan and practicing Buddhist.
He is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their daughter Tenzin Losel Yauch.
UPDATE: Obituary Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys dies at 47
