Adam Yauch Taught a Generation How to Grow Up

The effusive tributes to Beastie Boy Adam Yauch continue, and one of his lyrics in particular is being frequently quoted. From "Sure Shot" in 1994:

• “I want to say a little something that’s long overdue/The disrespect to women has got to be through/ To all the mothers and sisters and the wives and friends/ I want to offer my love and respect to the end"

That mind you, comes from the same Yauch who years earlier sang that "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)." But that's part of what's so special about Yauch:

• Jen Doll, AtlanticWire: "Later in their careers, the band renounced their loutish earlier antics, showing a generation how to grow up with grace and go from Boys to men and women."

• Roger Catlin, Salon: "Their transformation from bratty, delinquent teenagers into altruistic, socially engaged cultural figures may have paralleled the coming-of-age and awareness of a generation of Americans."
• Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times: The peace-loving, grown-up Yauch probably wasn't thrilled that his public debut came in the raunchy "Fight for Your Right" video. But in the end, Yauch managed in his 47 years to "carve a path at once so admirable and unlikely that his contributions should serve as a model for a life worth living."
• Dave Bry, the Awl: "(A)s time went by, he became a voice for peace and sensitivity and caring about the world—without ever turning shrill or holier-than-thou. He became gentle and soft-spoken without losing his sense of humor." And Yauch didn't get defensive when challenged about his wild early days. "He said most everyone has a time in their life that they look back on with regret."

(More Adam Yauch stories.)