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Beastie Boys Book

By: Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz
Narrated by: Full Cast
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Publisher's Summary

The inspiration for the Spike Jonze 'live documentary' Beastie Boys Story, coming soon to Apple TV+.

Nominated for a Grammy award.

Number one New York Times best seller.

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 "AD-ROCK" 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 almost impossible to fathom overnight success of their debut studio album, Licensed to Ill; that album's messy fallout; and their break with Def Jam, move to Los Angeles and rebirth as musicians and social activists, with the genre-defying masterpiece Paul's Boutique. For more than 20 years, this band has had a wide-ranging and lasting 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 pieces by guest contributors and many more surprises.

Readers:

Steve Buscemi, Ada Calhoun, Bobby Cannavale, Exene Cervenka, Roy Choi, Jarvis Cocker, Elvis Costello, Chuck D, Nadia Dajani, Michael Diamond, Snoop Dogg, Will Ferrell, Crosby Fitzgerald, Randy Gardner, Kim Gordon, Josh Hamilton, Adam Horovitz, LL Cool J, Spike Jonze, Pat Kiernan, Talib Kweli, Dave Macklovitch, Rachel Maddow, Tim Meadows, Bette Midler, Mix Master Mike, NAS, Yoshimi O, Rosie Perez, Amy Poehler, Kelly Reichardt, John C. Reilly, Ian Rogers, Maya Rudolph, Rev Run, Luc Sante, Kate Schellenbach, MC Serch, Chloe Sevigny, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, Jeff Tweedy and Philippe Zdar.

Design: Purtill Family Business with Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz

Case photograph: © 1987 Lynn Goldsmith

©2018 Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz (P)2018 Faber Audio

What listeners say about Beastie Boys Book

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Incredible narration

Really enjoyed this and 5 stars just for the incredible line up of narrators.

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1 person found this helpful

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A fantastic audiobook

From the opening credits through to the end of the last chapter, this is a great listen. The voice cast is incredible and really help to bring some of the stories to life. The original book is an absorbing read on its own, but this audio book takes things to another level. Highly recommended!

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Finger licking good ya’ll!

Excellent reading with a great celebrity cast (inc Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Jarvis Cocker, Chuck D and Kim Gordon… amongst many!) as well as AdRoc and Mike D. Lots of little surprises and the odd sound treatments just like their records. Most entertaining audiobook I’ve heard yet. Even if you have the book itself, pairing it with this will give it new life. An experience any Beastie Boys fan will adore.

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Entertainment factor through the roof

The best conception of a band bio I can think of. There's history, humour, humility aplenty. So well conceived and executed. Do yourself a favour!

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Great evocation of a band, an era

Aside from the huge cast (Elvis Costello, LL Cool J, Amy Poehler and everyone in between), this is the story of a band that broke but never broke up. Under it all runs the absent voice of Adam Yauch, who brought them together as a band and served as their big brother. There’s no dirt (though producer Rick Rubin comes out grubby) as the Bots are honest about their experiences even the frat boy moments and kicking their friend out of the band. It gets nerdy at times (playlists, tech tallies) but all up it’s an amazing audio book.

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  • Ben
  • 03-10-2020

All Killer

Hands down the best reason to listen to a book ever. Hilarious, informative and life affirming. Loved the Beasties before love them more now. Thank you MCA

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Awesome!!

Absolutely loved it! So many great stories and insights into the Beastie Boys. Great guests reading the chapters too.

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Listen to this even if you have read the book.

There was nothing I disliked about this audiobook. The performances from the cast were great. A must for any early 90’s teenager or any beasties fan.

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Amazing

Any fan of the Beastie Boys will love this amazing Audiobook version. It's an experience unlike any other.

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Ch-Check It Out

If you’re a B’boys fan, you should have already heard this. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for.

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