Want to listen to Virgin Radio UK on your laptop or desktop computer?
Original Beastie Boy John Berry dies aged 52
Virgin Radio
20 May 2016, 08:21
Original Beastie Boys' member and guitarist John Berry has died aged 52.
Berry's father, John Berry III, confirmed the news to American music magazine Rolling Stone, and said his son had been suffering from frontal lobe dementia.
The musician, who is cited as the person who came up with the name for the band, died at a hospice in Danvers, Massachusetts.
The American rap rock band's many hits include, which was from their 1986 debut studio album,.
Berry was one of the founding members of the first incarnation of the band, called The Young Aborigines, formed in 1978.
Two years later the band changed its name to the Beastie Boys.
Vocalist Michael Diamond and Berry went to school together in New York, leading to a lifelong friendship rooted in music.
The pair were joined in the band by Adam Yauch and Kate Schellenbach.
The band's first EP, , was released in 1982 and Berry left the band shortly after its release.
Fans paid tribute to Berry on Twitter, crediting their contribution to the music world, with one writing: "RIP to John Berry of the Beastie Boys. Those dudes started something bigger than music. Rap, rock and musicianship all in one. A new genre."
A message on the Luscious Jackson Facebook page said the band was "heartbroken hearing the news" of Berry's death.
It said: "He was a good friend and rabble rouser and if it wasn't for him, there'd be no Beasties, no Luscious Jackson, no Grand Royal and god knows what else. John brought us all together in his crazy wooden house on the UWS ... Rest In Piece friend ..."
Advertisement
Latest Articles
Have you got an Amazon Echo or Google Home device? Listen to Virgin Radio UK by asking your speaker...
Want to listen to Virgin Radio UK but need to go out and about? Take us with you with the Virgin...
Want to listen to Virgin Radio UK on your laptop or desktop computer?
Have you got an Amazon Echo or Google Home device? Listen to Virgin Radio UK by asking your speaker...
Want to listen to Virgin Radio UK but need to go out and about? Take us with you with the Virgin...
Advertisement