CREDIT: Atiba Jefferson / Glen E. Friedman (Apple)

BEASTIE BOYS BOOK is a phenomenal 571-page historical document and mixed-media hardcover book written by surviving Beasties Michael "Mike D" Diamond & Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz released on SPIEGEL & GRAU in 2018. It was, of course, written following the untimely death of founding Beastie Boy Adam "MCA" Yauch on May 4, 2012, now known world-wide as MCA Day, but is without a doubt, a well-written tribute to his life and career. Last year, following widespread critical/fan-acclaim of BEASTIE BOYS BOOK, Mike Diamond & Adam Horovitz went on tour in support of their book somewhat confusingly billed as, "BEASTIE BOYS STORY: A 2 PERSON 1 MAN SHOW ABOUT 3 KIDS WHO STARTED A BAND TOGETHER." It wad directed by long-time collaborator and friend Spike Jonze and appeared to be, by most accounts, something to the effect of a live audio book version of BEASTIE BOYS BOOK. Now, it has been announced that a "live documentary," also, called Beastie Boys Story, again, directed by Jonze will see a limited release in IMAX theatres, as well "home video" on Apple TV+.


"The film is set to premiere on the heels of the 26th anniversary of the release of Beastie Boys' #1 charting 1994 album, Ill Communication, and reunites Beastie Boys with director Spike Jonze over 25 years after directing the music video for the album's immortal hit single, "Sabotage," explains a press release supplied by Nasty Little Man. Beastie Boys Story will open exclusively in select IMAX theatres for a limited engagement starting April 3, before premiering globally on Apple TV+ on April 24. According to a mysterious man named "Larry" (an allusion to "The Larry Routine?") this will all "make more sense once you see the trailer that the film-makers haven't finished editing yet..." Additionally, there's a new comprehensive photo book from the Beastie Boys & Spike Jonze, simply titled Beastie Boys, dropping on March 17, 2020, via Rizzoli New York. Long-time Beasties photographer and friend Glen E. Friedman recently put together a book of his own called Together Forever: The Run-D.M.C. & Beastie Boys Photographs, via Rizzoli New York, as well.

CREDIT: Tobin Yelland (2019)

"There are some friends you have lunch with so many times over the years, you know their order. Spike is one of those friends. And even when you don't recognize anything on the menu, he comes up with something good for the whole table. Like when we wondered what to do when our book comes out... then, Spike placed his order: you will put on a show for the children."

- Mike Diamond & Adam Horovitz


"I owe Beastie Boys a lot. One time, they pulled me out of a burning ship and another time, they helped me cheat on my college exam to get into Florida State. So, it was a real privilege to get to reunite with them and help them tell their story."

- Spike Jonze


"This is the eighth time I've re-written this thing, the film-makers kept telling me I was doing it wrong, but I'm really feeling this one. Here's what the film is: Mike Diamond & Adam Horovitz of Beastie Boys tell you an intimate, personal story of their band and their 40 years of friendship together. From the 1980's New York City Punk scene, to "[You Gotta] Fight for Your Right (to Party)" and becoming the first Hip-Hop artists to make a #1 record (Licensed to Ill,) through their evolution, which took them to "Sabotage," "Intergalactic," and beyond. Created with their old friend, their former grandfather, and collaborator, film-maker Spike Jonze, the film seamlessly mixes a live stage show and documentary to create a new format, a live documentary.

Does that make sense? It'll make more sense when you see the trailer that the film-makers haven't finished editing yet, despite constant badgering. But anyways, I'm not mad. In this film that was shot at Kings Theater in Brooklyn, Mike D & Ad-Rock discuss their evolution as musicians, artists, and people and a whole bunch of other crazy sh*t. Their co-conspirator, musician, activist, inventor, discredited astrophysics professor, and my favorite Beastie Boy, Adam Yauch, couldn't be there that night because he passed away in 2012. But even though he's not there, his spirit is very much felt onstage through Mike & Adam and the force of nature that was Yauch, their band, and their friendship."

- "Larry"