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Beastie Boys Book
- Narrated by: Full Cast
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
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Beastie Boys Book
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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
What listeners love about Beastie Boys Book
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Claire
- 01-11-18
Audio book ill communication. I loved it
It shouldn't come as a surprise to any fans that Beastie Boys have delivered an innovative, open, funny memoir, full of geeky detail to delight in.
However, this is more than that.
Unlike most, this is not an audio version after thought; quite the opposite.
Reading a paper version would mean you'd miss out on the extraordinary delivery from a full, and exceptional cast.
Disclaimer: I love this band, so am totally biased... but still, if you are remotely interested, do yourself a favour and get this audiobook!
It will leave you wanting to reconnect with your record collection, and your old friends.
18 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matthew Tassell
- 05-12-18
Fantastic Beasties (and where to find them)
This is a wonderful book. An honest, charming and insightful scrapbook of adventures, ideas and dumb funny stuff that will make you laugh your bum off. The cast of voices (an insanely impressive and eclectic lineup) takes the delivery to another place when compared to other audible music bios (make that all audiobooks ever). It’s a wonder audiobooks bother with just one author when this smorgasbord of a-list voices proves such fun. Every single performance is a bonafide smash. Each one delivered with heart and evident love for the Beasties. I particularly enjoyed Amy Poehler’s video rundown and Jarvis Cockers’ delivery of Ad-Rock’s first visit to London. Every chapter bursts with ideas and the way in which the delivery constantly twists and turns in tone and style perfectly mirrors the Beastie’s raison d'être. The whole thing is made all the more poignant by the Yauch-shaped hole at the centre of it. Mike and Adam paint a moving and fitting portrait of the silent player in their collective story. And so this book proves to be a beautifully creative, powerful articulation of the legacy they leave. I loved it so much I went out and bought the actual book just to see the snaps Spike Jonze was banging on about. Read it. It’s a solid gold hit.
11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laird Sutherland
- 04-12-18
Thee New Standard in AudioBooks
If you’ve never listened to Audible and plan on doing so...? Please do not read this book! It will ruin every other book you ever listen to... Like your first hit of Heroine, you’ll be chasing the natural highs and start to crave another chapter, wondering who is going to be reading next! Instant addiction! The Beastie Boys book is simply essential to any and all music fans, history fans and people that like like a laugh! This book is sad, funny, inspiring and very emotional! You’ll be so surprised how quickly you absorb everything from the Audible version! Personal favourite Guest Reader: John. C. Riley! He absolutely loves it! Already ‘forcing’ the missus to listen to it, now...! First sitting was over 2 hours...! She’s loving it, too! The Beastie Boys Book is an absolute Instant Classic! R.I.P. Adam Yauch/MCA/Nathaniel Hörnblówer/Inspiration to us all...! XxX
8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 5of7
- 09-06-19
Makes you nostalgic for a life you never lived
I knew a bit about the Beasties growing up but missed most of their work due to the electronic club scene that dominated my social circle, my city even, at the turn of the century. Although we had our own great times, and I would change very little, I can't help feeling envious of the life lived and described by the Beasties in the dirty and dingy NYC of the early 80's.
Really evocative descriptions help transport you to that place and time, it's certainly the best part of the book. Having an all star ensemble to read various chapters was cool but I enjoyed the parts read by Ad-Roc and Mike D the best, so I think they could have done the whole thing themselves and actually enhanced the experience.
Still, as well as being a paen to a sorley missed brother and friend it is, aside from the odd chapter, ultimately a well told and engaging story of youth and friendship.
I certainly would recommend. I'm now going to delve into their back catalogue to fully discover a band I really should have discovered years ago.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Brewster
- 01-11-18
My First Audiobook
I doubt there will be a better Audiobook made. Funny, silly, profound, enlightening, and nerdy. As with their music The Beastie Boys set the gold standard for everyone to follow. Thanks Adam, Mike, and the narrators and contributors and most of all thanks Yauch.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 42curries
- 29-10-19
The best audiobook ever!
All audiobooks should be done like this. Great stories. Lots of different readers including the authors. Only complaint is there should be more music.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M H.
- 11-10-19
Superb book! Ch... check it out!
I’ve follow the boys since ‘87 and was fortunate to meet Adrock and Mike D at the London book signing, I read the book and bought the audio version too. This is an absolute gem and insight into their lives and how they became the biggest hip hop group in the world. Forget Stormzy and Jay Z; Beastie Boys (along with Run DMC, PE and Rakim) are the real legends, originators and innovators of hip hop! A must read for all fans. RIP MCA!!
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Jon Barr
- 23-05-19
exceptional , illuminating, a labour of love...Wow
So many voices and stories tell the rich and moving tale of the journey of the NYC punks from rappers to musical mischief makers. Read by an all star cast you won't believe. A great listen.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ryan
- 21-05-19
The BEST music biography ever
I’ve enjoyed this audiobook so very very much. I’ve recommended it to everyone that has looked at me strangely on the train when I’ve burst out laughing or just sat there with a stupid smile on my face.
I bought the book because the Beasties were supporting RunDMC on the first concert I ever went to. It was like nothing I’d ever seen and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as good ever since. Adams comment about having to store a 12’ inflatable penis had me in howls of laughter.
Please buy this book, it’ll be the best thing you do this year. I’m off to dig out some records.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rainbow
- 10-10-19
Super Duper ILL
I bought the book but struggled to see the small words (dreadful eyesight), so listened instead. Enjoyed every minute!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Ben Vella
- 04-05-22
Worst band book I ever read
Not a die hard fan going in, was interested in BB having enjoyed some of there music. This was so disappointing, juvenile humour, nothing of interest really said as everyone was nice to them. Chapters include making a mix tape, many chapters are just song lists, stories are hyped up and seem to have no punch line.
A few interesting chapters on Kate Schellenbach, who seemed to be the only one with any depth. They talk about not selling out, when their claim to fame seems to be lining up a whole lot of celebrities to read their half baked boring stories.
There is even a picture chapter where it goes on about the wigs and moustaches they bought. Maybe someone out there cares.
Had to skip some chapters near the end as it was so repetitive. They congratulate you for reaching the end, saying a golden ticket is deserved. That I do agree with, terrible and probably worst of all boring!!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 13-04-20
Sooooo good.
So many different narrator's
Great personal stories
Great insight to the lives of Beastie legends
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- watsoneast
- 07-05-19
A story as good as the best crate diggin
Honest, straight up, inventive tale of the three teens who inspired many! Particularly loved the musical playlist that woven through the story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C A Davies
- 27-02-19
6 stars
great story telling, loved it throughout and the guest narrators were awesome. really enjoyed the early parts about growing up as a punk in new York
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. Siebenhaar
- 09-02-19
Genius
Straight genius. No more no less. Best audiobook ever. I mean it. Seriously. Come on.