**I Miss the Beastie Boys- **A Short Story

I’ve been a huge fan of the Beastie Boys for nearly 40 years. That feels crazy to say.

After watching the Spike Jonze documentary, all of it came rushing back. This was an epic documentary.

Apple TV Doc Cover Picture

I still remember watching “Fight for Your Right to Party” on MTV, right after Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” — back when they still played the uncensored version — and the Aerosmith and Run DMC collab on “Walk This Way.” Kids today will never understand how great MTV actually was.

License to Ill is still one of the best records ever made. The opening of “Hold it Now, Hit It” hypes me up every single time — the kind of thing that turns your kitchen into a dance floor, whether you planned on it or not.

[embed]

Here’s my Beasties story.

Somewhere between 2000 and 2002, if you wanted concert tickets, you stood in line at the mall. Specifically: Carson Pirie Scott at Southlake Mall in Merrillville, Indiana. The Beastie Boys were coming — with Rage Against the Machine. My ex-boyfriend Jim and I stood in that line for hours in the heat like it was our religion.

At some point, a random shopper stopped and asked the entire line what we were waiting for.

Every single person screamed Rage.

Including Jim.

Not me. I screamed Beastie Boys — and everyone just stared at me. Story of my life. Always going solo.

We got the tickets. I counted down the days.

Then Rage Against the Machine broke up, and the whole concert was canceled. DAMN IT!

I’m still pissed.

Here’s the thing — I like Rage. But I love the Beasties. I listen to Rage when I’m angry. I listen to the Beasties all the time.

There’s a difference.

ps. You want to laugh? Look up Beastie Boys in Upsplash. Um, no.

“I’d rather be a hypocrite than the same person forever.” — Adam “MCA” Yauch