Beastie Boy Adam Yauch gets ill with cancer

By Jen Boyles Mon., Jul. 20 2009 at 4:15 PM

Categories: Music News

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(Yauch, left, in the '80s)

It's been kind of a sad summer so far. We lost MJ, Farrah, Cronkite, and David Carradine to name a few, and now we find out a member of one of rap music's most influential groups since Run DMC has cancer.
As reported on Gawker Monday morning, Beastie Boy Adam Yauch -- the raspy one -- has cancer of the salivary glands, an illness we didn't even know existed. Upon his diagnosis, the Beasties cancelled their upcoming tour dates (including Lollapalooza in August) and pushed back the release of their upcoming album, Hot Sauce Committee.

"A few months ago I started feeling this little lump in my throat like you would feel if you have swollen glands or a cold, so I didn't really think it was anything," Yauch said in a video message.

He said he went to see his doctor after doing some promotions in Europe, when he was told he has cancer in his salivary gland.

"It's not in a place that affects my voice, which is nice," he said.

Yauch called it a setback and a pain in the ass, but very treatable.

Check the video announcement Yauch made below. We wish him well and a speedy recovery so he can get back to telling us what time it is.

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