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Ad-Rock

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For other people named Adam Horovitz, see Adam Horovitz (disambiguation).
Ad-Rock
Ad-Rock at Cooper Union in 2015
Ad-Rock at Cooper Union in 2015
Background information
Birth nameAdam Keefe Horovitz
Also known asAd-Rock, King Ad-Rock, Shadrach, Harry, aka sharp, cheddar
Born (1966-10-31) October 31, 1966 (age 58)
New York City, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop, rap rock, hardcore punk, alternative hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, musician, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboards, sitar, drums, E-mu SP-1200, turntables
Years active1982–present
LabelsDef Jam Records
Grand Royal Records
Capitol Records
SpouseKathleen Hanna (m. 2006–present)[1]
Websitewww.beastieboys.com
Ad-Rock with the Beastie Boys in Barcelona, Spain on September 5, 2007.

Adam Keefe Horovitz (born October 31, 1966),[2] better known as Ad-Rock or King Ad-Rock, is an American musician, guitarist, rapper, producer, and actor. He is best known as a member of the hip hop group the Beastie Boys. He is married to musician and feminist activist Kathleen Hanna.

Early life

Horovitz was born and raised on Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York, the son of Doris (née Keefe) and playwright Israel Horovitz.[3] He has denied internet listings that he was born in South Orange, New Jersey.[4][5] His sister is film producer Rachael Horovitz. His father is Jewish, and his mother, who was of Irish descent, was Roman Catholic.[6][7]

Career

Horovitz began his music career with a stint in the punk rock band the Young and the Useless, who would often perform with the Beastie Boys. In 1982, Beastie Boys guitarist John Berry quit and Horovitz replaced him. He was only 16 at the time.[8] After Horovitz joined the band, the Beastie Boys changed their sound, evolving from a hardcore punk band to a more hip-hop oriented group. The band was signed to Def Jam, and released their debut album Licensed to Ill in 1986. The album was a huge commercial success, and spawned six hit singles. Seven further albums followed, and by 2010 the Beastie Boys had sold 22 million records in the United States alone, and 40 million worldwide. In 2012, the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In addition to his work with the Beastie Boys, Horovitz also remixes numerous tracks for other artists under the alias 41 Small Stars.[9] He plays bass in The Tender Moments, the backing band of New York-based cabaret performer Bridget Everett.[10]

Horovitz has also acted in several motion pictures and television shows. Some of his roles include Tim 'Chino' Doolan in Lost Angels (1989), Sam in Roadside Prophets (1992), Repulski in Godspeed (2007), and Fletcher in While We're Young (2014).

Personal life

In the late 1980s, Horovitz was in a relationship with American actress Molly Ringwald. They met on the set of The Pick-up Artist.[11][12]

Horovitz was married to actress Ione Skye from 1992 to 1995. They separated in 1995 and divorced in 1999. Since 1997 he has been involved with riot grrrl artist Kathleen Hanna; they married in 2006.[1] He wore a medical alert bracelet after having a Tonic–clonic seizure in 2003.[13] Horovitz is featured prominently in The Punk Singer, a 2013 documentary film about Hanna's life and career; he even shot a scene himself to show Hanna's distressed reaction to the medication she was taking against Lyme disease.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b "'The Punk Singer' director on capturing the essence of Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Ad-Rock biography". Allmusic Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  3. ^ Israel Horovitz Biography (1939-), Film Reference, accessed March 24, 2011.
  4. ^ Arye Dworken, Arye. "The Beastie Within". Heeb Magazine. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Adrock @ Portlandia Tour". Youtube. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  6. ^ Susan Jacobs. "Israel Horovitz on art and religion". Wakefield Observer.
  7. ^ "How studio exec-turned-producer pitched 'Moneyball' - The Ticket". Jewish Journal.
  8. ^ Diamond, Michael (1994), Some Old Bullshit album liner notes
  9. ^ "41 Small Stars". Discogs.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  10. ^ Arman, Marcus (2012-11-30). "Bridget Everett and Ad-Rock Get Raunchy". LA Weekly.
  11. ^ Barshad, Amos (April 24, 2011). "Rude Boys". New York Magazine. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  12. ^ Mehera Bonner. "Molly Ringwald's Relationship History: Who Has She Dated?". Wetpaint.
  13. ^ "Beastie Boys: Twilight of the Brats". Spin.
  14. ^ Valby, Karen (March 12, 2013). "Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna reveals illness, reconfirms awesomeness in 'The Punk Singer'". Entertainment Weekly.
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