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Ex-Beastie Boy John Berry dies, aged 52

May 20, 2016

John Berry, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, has died on May 19, at the age of 52, according to "Rolling Stone" magazine.

https://p.dw.com/p/1IrmU
Albumcover Beastie Boys Polly Wog Stew Screenshot Copyright: Rat Cage Records
Image: Rat Cage Records

Berry came up with the Beastie Boys' name and was one of the group's first members when it formed in 1981, "Rolling Stone" magazine reports.

He played guitar on the band's 1982 first seven-inch EP, "Polly Wog Stew," but left shortly after, before the group moved from punk to hip-hop music. Berry was a member of several less well-known bands afterwards.

His father said he died Thursday morning (19.05.2016) at a hospice in Danvers, Massachusetts. He told "Rolling Stone" that his son suffered from frontal lobe dementia and had been in declining health for several years.

The iconic band officially dissolved in 2014, two years after one of its core members, Adam "MCA" Yauch, died from cancer at the age of 47.

db/eg (AP, Reuters)

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