The death of Beastie Boys member Adam "MCA" Yauch casts a bittersweet shadow over the 27th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held on April 14 at the shrine to popular music in Cleveland that bears its name.
The hip-hop trio, who defied all expectations to produce a critically acclaimed, genre-bending body of work, were one of several big-name acts to earn entry into rock's most exclusive club. (Others included The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N' Roses, whose lead singer Axl Rose boycotted the festivities.)
Yauch's fellow Beasties Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond took to the podium at the induction, where they read a message on Yauch's behalf, who was too ill to attend. The note read in part: “I’d like to dedicate this award to my brothers Adam and Mike who have walked the globe with me. To anyone who has been touched by our band, who our music has meant something to, this induction is as much ours as it yours.”
A spokesperson for HBO says a tribute to Yauch has been added to the end of the two-and-a-half-hour telecast, Billboard reports. A photo of the singer will appear, accompanied with the message, "In Memory of Adam Yauch."
Watch a preview of the telecast, set to air on HBO this Saturday, May 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
