Background
Light grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended Cincinnati Country Day School. His mother was a dance reviewer for the local newspaper.
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book
The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys
(In 1987, three white Jewish boys from New York City were ...)
In 1987, three white Jewish boys from New York City were the most fascinating phenomenon in the burgeoning rap music scene. No, really. The Beastie Boys, barely out of their teens, had just released Licensed to Ill, which quickly became the first hip-hop album to reach number one on the charts. Pairing vulgar and hilarious lyrics with heavy-metal-derived musical backing and a punk DIY attitude, the Beasties—MCA (Adam Yauch), King Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz), and Mike D (Michael Diamond)—changed the face of rap forever by bringing it into the mainstream. In the years that followed, they would change it again and again—musically, culturally, and politically. To create The Skills to Pay the Bills, Alan Light spent years taping conversations with the group, their friends, roommates, producers, engineers, collaborators, and other artists from Madonna to Chuck D. Here, as told from the inside, is the fascinating tale of three rump-shaking, innovative rappers whose albums still go platinum and whose tours continue to fill arenas after more than two decades of making music. The Skills to Pay the Bills chronicles the Beasties’ unique journey from the hardcore New York underground to the top of the Billboard charts. It is a story of larger-than-life personalities, noble causes, funky beats, and truly one of the most influential and ambitious groups of all time. I said, Where’d you get your information from, huh? “The first time I met them, I thought I was on Candid Camera.” —D.M.C. “I think I made out with Adam Yauch once in their dressing room.” —Madonna “One of my favorite groups is the Beastie Boys.” —Bono
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609604783/?tag=2022091-20
The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys Paperback - January 24, 2006
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010EUN0O8/?tag=2022091-20
The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys by Alan Light (2006-01-24)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FEL3LSC/?tag=2022091-20
Alan Light
Edit ProfileEducation
He graduated from Yale University in 1988, majoring in American Studies, and wrote his senior thesis on Licensed to Illinois by the Beastie Boys.
Career
Light had been an intern at Rolling Stone during their 20th anniversary year while still a student. He later joined the staff as a fact checker in 1989, becoming a senior writer in 1990. In 1993, he became the founding music editor of Vibe magazine, becoming editor-in-chief in 1994.
In 1999 he became editor-in-chief for Spin magazine.
He left Spin in March 2002. He then worked as music reviewer on radio station WFUV, and served as music correspondent on National Public Radio show Weekend America.
He writes regularly for The New York Times. Light has worked as consultant for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Light has also been involved in assisting homeless people with the Housing Works Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome charity.
Achievements
Works
book
-
The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys
(In 1987, three white Jewish boys from New York City were ...)
- The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys Paperback - January 24, 2006
- The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys by Alan Light (2006-01-24)
-
The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys
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Born
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Nationality
United States