The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys

by Alan Light

In 1987, three white Jewish boys from New York City were the most fascinating phenomenon in the burgeoning rap music scene. No, really. The Beastie Boys, barely out of their teens, had just released Licensed to Ill , which quickly became the first hip-hop album to reach number one on the charts. Pairing vulgar and hilarious lyrics with heavy-metal-derived musical backing and a punk DIY attitude, the Beasties-MCA (Adam Yauch), King Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz),...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609604783
• ISBN13: 9780609604786
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA)
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very VERY nice

I was indeed satisfied by this book. Of course it isn't a complete, in-depth Beasties biography, which it doesn't claim to be anyway, and it's clearly not something that you should expect from a small paperback. What it is however, is a fascinating read, it doesn't give you any conclusions, ramblings or whatever - only stories from people who knew the Beasties firsthand, most of whom are amazing talents in their own right. The book might not be ideal for people who barely know the Beasties, but you dont' have to be a hardcore fan to enjoy it. If you know more that one or two of their songs, and/or have interest for hip-hop and pop culture in general - you gotta read this.

Check your head -- this book rocks

A first-person account of this unlikely trio of rappers who rock. At first it is jarring to have an entire book of quotations from the actual players in this saga, but it is great to hear them all telling it. One guy is taking credit for the name Beastie Boys, then the ousted woman is telling how she was pushed out of the band so they could go big-time. Riveting stuff! A fun read. Pull out your Beasties CDs and crank them as you read this blast of a book.