Yauch formed the Beastie Boys for his 17th birthday

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Yauch taught himself to play bass in high school, forming a band for his 17th birthday party that would later become known the world over as Beastie Boys.

With fellow members Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Adrock" Horovitz, Beastie Boys would go on to sell over 40 million records, release four #1 albums - including the first hip hop album ever to top the Billboard 200, the band's 1986 debut full length, Licensed To Ill - win three Grammys, and the MTV Video Vanguard Lifetime Achievement award.

Last month Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Diamond and Horovitz reading an acceptance speech on behalf of Yauch, who was unable to attend.