The Beastie Boys Book

Product Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, a book as unique as the band itself—by band members ADROCK and Mike D, with contributions from Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and more.
 
NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST MEMOIRS OF THE DECADE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Rolling Stone • The Guardian • Paste  

Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in the words of the band. Adam “ADROCK” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond offer revealing and very funny accounts of their transition from teenage punks to budding rappers; their early collaboration with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin; the debut album that became the first hip hop record ever to hit #1, Licensed to Ill—and the album’s messy fallout as the band broke with Def Jam; their move to Los Angeles and rebirth with the genre-defying masterpiece Paul’s Boutique; their evolution as musicians and social activists over the course of the classic albums Check Your Head, Ill Communication, and Hello Nasty and the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits conceived by the late Adam “MCA” Yauch; and more. For more than thirty years, this band has had an inescapable and indelible influence on popular culture.
 
With a style as distinctive and eclectic as a Beastie Boys album, Beastie Boys Book upends the typical music memoir. Alongside the band narrative you will find rare photos, original illustrations, a cookbook by chef Roy Choi, a graphic novel, a map of Beastie Boys’ New York, mixtape playlists, pieces by guest contributors, and many more surprises.

Praise for Beastie Boys Book

“A fascinating, generous book with portraits and detail that float by in bursts of color . . . As with [the band’s] records, the book’s structure is a lyrical three-man weave. . . . Diamond’s voice is lapidary, droll. Horovitz comes on like a borscht belt comedian, but beneath that he is urgent, incredulous, kind of vulnerable. . . . Friendship is the book’s subject as much as music, fame and New York.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Wild, moving . . . resembles a Beastie Boys LP in its wild variety of styles.”—Rolling Stone 

“As nutty, irreverent, and fun as you think it would be.”—Vogue

“As freewheeling and funny as their albums . . . a beautifully messy (and large) talisman containing within it many of the great joys and surprises that come with listening to the Beastie Boys”—The AV Club

Features

• inclues rare photos
• pieces from Amy Poehler, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, & more

Top Reviews

Simply put:
by 72Virgins (5 out of 5 stars)
October 31, 2018

Buy, steal, beg for, or borrow this book. I'm not going to get into my level of Beastie Boys fandom, because that belongs to me, and it be impossible to explain the importance and impact of the Beastie Boys have had on my life. They've been the soundtrack to my life, the good and the bad. Some of my fondest memories involve going to see them live, or having Paul's Boutique on in the background while something memorable is happening. It's difficult to put into words, though. Seriously. I am who I am (a divorced 44 year old dad of two) today because of them. One of the standout memories of my childhood was, at 11 years old, taking the bus to the next town over, and going to the record store. Inside, they were playing 'Licensed to Ill', and I'll never forget that moment. It changed my life.

From what I've read so far, AdRock's chapter on cassette tapes really hit home. It's....perfect. Nostalgia personified, and he absolutely nails it - how ridiculous a method it was to record/playback music, etc., yet how critical cassette tapes were to us as kids, and how their existence and meaning shaped who we became today.

To AdRock and Mike D.: A million thank-yous! I know you understand the impact you've had on multiple generations, around the world, and that's something that will live forever. Even now, 30+ years later, me and my kids belt out Beastie Boys tunes while driving around, and it's so much fun! It's truly something special, the impact and importance the Beasties had, and still have, and all I can say is: THANK YOU! For those reading, go get this book. Sure, it weighs over 3 lbs. and as thick as a college textbook (or Bible, even), but man, is it essential reading.
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This is not a fan book. This is THE book.
by rareoopdvds (5 out of 5 stars)
August 15, 2018

I grew up on the Beastie Boys first album, License to Ill. It was just great! I knew every song front to back. Having the large folded album cover to reveal a crashed plane tells you a little something about what you will get. I was young and so my comparison to other music was not much. But I knew I liked it! As a kid, it was more about learning the lyrics and seeing if you can keep up singing along. It was quite fun!

As I matured, so did their music. Later we got So Wha'cha Want, Sabotage, and Intergalactic as their highlights. They only produced eight albums, but each one was surprisingly unique from the one prior. But, for me, I rarely follow musicians personal lives and dont pay attention to much else besides when I either buy an album or its on the radio.

As with the Beastie Boys, while I did not buy every one of their albums or follow their personal lives beyond their music, I was surprised when I heard of Adam Yauch's death. Seemed so soon. And the opening story by Mike D reminded me of this fact and how impactful he was on their lives, personally and musically. Most of the book are reminiscing by the remaining two Beastie Boys, Mike D and Ad-Rock, telling their stories through each album and other incidents that may or may not have been controversial at the time. Some of the photos in the book I can even recall from back in my youth, seeing them in music mags or newspapers, wondering what exactly what happened.

The book is filled evenly with pictures and stories. At 550 pages, you are getting the full gamut here, and from the horses mouth. The book is well designed that is funny, heartfelt and inspiring. It is less of a biography of a band and more of a culture. Some are anecdotal. Some are things strictly from their memory. Other things culled from events known to everyone. All within the changing climate of the early 80's with rap on the rise and punk rock on the decline. And these guys are the spawn of that zeitgeist. Overall, this is a perfect book and to revisit Beastie Boys in this way gives them substance as both musicians and creative and intelligent people.
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"And you know he weighs in pretty hefty..."
by In love with Binary (5 out of 5 stars)
October 30, 2018

UPDATE: I take back my disappointment with Amazon. They refunded my $5.00 extra I had paid when I pre-ordered it without me even asking. Good job Amazon.
"And you know he weighs in pretty hefty..."

Hefty is a perfect word for this book. More Chicago style pizza than NY.

I've not read the book except a few pages I've skimmed since I got it a couple of hours ago. So my review is on the Book structure and printing...and unfortunately Amazon's declining care of products it sells.

The Book. As said above it's huge. Not tall or wide but thick. "Ah, like a thick-ass book that's filled with wack rhymes". Unlike most biographies where there are about 20 pages in the middle devoted to photos, this book has the photos and illustrations are throughout it's entirety. It resembles a Fanzine more than a book. Plus there are tons of little extras throughout that only Beastie Fans will appreciate.

The binding is quality and seems like it will stand the test of time. From what I can tell it has smyth sewn binding which make it lay fairly flat when opened on a table. This is nice because you can actually see the middle parts of this gigantic book.

The paper and printing are quality as well. The paper is a non-coated stock (matte) which allows the ink to absorb into the page creating rich deep colors in the photographs. Plus the paper has a nice nostalgic smell. There are a few glossy sections but only used when appropriate, or to break up the pace of the book.

Now onto the Amazon not so Prime deal I got on this book. Note: This is just me being picky. But needs to be noted in case others got the same damage on their book and paid more for it. I pre-ordered my book months ago for $35 through Amazon Prime. I now see it's $30. "Knucklehead deli tried to gyp me on the price" I get it, prices change blah blah blah. I wouldn't be so upset except that although my book was on my doorstep at 8am this morning which was sofa king Rad to wake up to, it is damage. The top right corner all the way through the pages to the back cover (see photos). I've tried to mend it myself the best I can. I'll probably keep because it's a waste of natural resources to ship this back because of a bent corner. I know I sound like I'm being silly about this but when it's delivered damaged (no way this happened in shipping, the box was in perfect shape) and then you see that you could have waited and saved $5...it just gets under the skin.

Anyways, if you love the Beasties and have been with them since the 80s like me, or even if you are a newer fan of this millennium...get this book. R.I.P. MCA.
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A must have for any Beastie Boy fan.
by foxforcefive (5 out of 5 stars)
November 2, 2018

I've been a huge Beastie Boys fan for 25 years. They have a diverse taste in music they're smart and extremely funny and intelligent. The book is a great read with a lot of Great stories.
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Outstanding trip through time with the Beasties.
by Eusebio Travis Sevilla (5 out of 5 stars)
November 1, 2018

Outstanding! The Beasties were incredibly influential to me as a youth and the work that the remaning two Beasties (RIP Mr. Yauch) have put in to recalling their journey is nostalgic, raucous, thoughtful, and insightful. A dual memoir and ode to a lost friend. Buy this book. Read this book. Gift this book.
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Wait... what??
by AceMSW (5 out of 5 stars)
November 18, 2018

I absolutely loved this book. I bought both the hard copy and the audible. I Recommend both.. hearing the boys (and so many others) tell their stories is so much fun.. but you need to be able to see the pictures, comic book etc.

This is a well deserved love letter to Yauch, my only wish is they would have spent more time with his illness and subsequent death. While not to bring the tone of the book down, the Beastie Boys were the voice (for many) of our youth and young adulthood..we grew up with them...changed and evolved with them. I really wanted to know more about that experience for the band, the rock and roll hall of fame, how they dealt with the diagnosis, how they came together as friends during this time.

That being said, that's just my wish.. it doesn't take away from an almost perfect book from one of the best..
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Definitely for fans, but also for those who like an entertaining read.
by Ratchet of Knoxville (5 out of 5 stars)
November 8, 2018

I'm a lifelong Beastie Boys fan, so I definitely wanted to get this book. It's very funny and entertaining and has a lot of insight into the life of the people involved in the group. Even if you are just a casual fan, or are just getting into them, I highly recommend this read. Also, if you find their duffel bag with the hard drive containing Hot Sauce Committee part 1, please contact them, IMMEDIATELY!
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A Must for Any B-Boys Fan, or Music Fans in General
by Melkor (5 out of 5 stars)
September 5, 2018

I received a pre-publication copy of this book. That means there may be some edits and changes from what I read to the final official publication. That said, even in raw form, this book is AMAZING. It is an autobiography of the Beastie Boys from the perspective of the two remaining members of the band, Mike D and Ad Rock (rip MCA :-( ). The story goes from the very beginning, as high school kids involved in the New York hardcore scene, the formation of the band, the influence of rap on the fellows, and then the following rise to stardom and how they dealt with that. In addition to the main story, there are several side chapters that put context on the time and place when all of these events were happening to the B-Boys. Such as a discussion of the rise of rap culture in NYC (before the term "hip hop" was used), what it meant for white kids to get turned on to that music at the time, and even Ad Rock's explanation to a younger generation that, for all the good provided by a mixed tapes, winding a blitzed cassette a pencil always blew.

It should really be no surprise, but the biggest pleasure is that Mike D and Ad Rock are both really good writers. They address in the first chapter what the reader is surely feeling, that the voice of Yauch is painfully missing as the third part of the story. This can't be helped, and they do their best to tell the complete story from their perspectives (even offering asides with each other's chapters to confirm or clarify what each other have written). The final bit I'll add is that, even in my primal version of the book, it is gorgeous. It is filled with incredible pictures archiving this history of the band and the scene. Every fan of the Beasties needs a copy of this book in their home.
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Everything Beastie and NYC
by Jesse Sheridan (5 out of 5 stars)
November 9, 2018

I'm flying through this book right now and absolutely loving it. It brings me back to the 80s and the evolution of hip-hop, the evolution of NYC, and my own evolution as a rap (and later hip-hop) fan. I discovered the Beastie Boys from a cooler-than-me high school friend who was listening to them way before the rest of us in rural VT. I happened to go to NYC with my family and dragged them to Crazy Eddie's and bought the Licensed to Ill cassette. I listened to it over and over, along side Eric B & Rakim, Public Enemy, Run DMC.. the greats. This book really speaks to what it's like to be a high school boy, with all the goofy uncomfortable stuff mixed in with seeds of your future self. The pictures are perfect, often seemingly random windows into their world, again as much about NYC as their experiences there. The stories about the Beastie Boys rise to fame involve so many incredible performers... it's like a reference book. Speaking of which, this book is physically like a text book. 600 pages and none of them skimpy. LOVING IT.
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love
by WV Hillbilly (5 out of 5 stars)
November 2, 2018

I just received this this morning and have only read a few chapters (Amy Poehler's video critique, and Andre Leon Talley's fashion reviews, in addition to the intro from Ad Rock and his loving characterization of MCA;it's clear this book is truly a gift to their fans; It finally occurred to me what I have loved about them all this time, the ease and awareness they have of themselves. Thank you Ad Rock and Mike D. RIP MCA, and thanks for everything.

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