Ad-Rock + Mike D of Beastie Boys Address MCA’s Death for First Time in Rolling Stone

For Beastie Boys fans around the world, the loss of Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch has been an incredibly difficult thing to get over. A flood of tributes have surfaced over the last few weeks by famous musicians such as Cee Lo Green and Elton John, as well as covers by cute kids.

Yet, the loss has hit the hardest for the remaining members of the Beastie Boys -- Ad-Rock and Mike D -- who recently addressed MCA's passing for first time in the newest issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

Since his passing on May 4 at the age of 47 (after fighting with salivary gland cancer), both Ad-Rock and Mike D have expressed sorrow via various online statements. But the interview in RS is the first time that we, as readers and fans, can truly understand what they’ve been going through, and how MCA's credit outlet brought a different perspective to the group.

Throughout their 30-plus year career span with the Beastie Boys, the surviving duo credit MCA as being the creative backbone of the group, whether it be because his sheer innate creativity or sometimes getting a little help from elsewhere... drugs. They explained that MCA’s intake of LSD aided heavily in conceiving the aesthetics for the album ‘Paul’s Boutique.’ “The acid experience gave him the ability to see,” they said.

They also state that it was MCA’s willingness to record without fear that made them admire him greatly. “Yauch saw this thing we couldn’t see — and he killed it.” They also mentioned that they were hopeful of Yauch's recovery because he expressed, "I'm gonna be okay," in his Buddhist ways, always remaining positive throughout his life. They mentioned their last recordings as a trio, too.

Whether it be during the process of recording or during a performance, MCA went out and gave it his all --something fans around the world could see time and time again.

So what does the future hold? Well, they have yet to make any concrete statements, but Mike D ended the interview with, "Yauch would genuinely want us to try whatever crazy thing we wanted but never got around to."

From reading the memories shared in the interview, it’s obvious that these two not only lost a band mate but also a great friend and a brother.

Watch the Beastie Boys Perform 'Egg Man' (Off 'Paul's Boutique') in Germany