Hester Diamond Sothebys auction

[tuc70021]

Agree with everything brooklyndust said.

I knew the Beasties had a relatively privileged upbringing, but it wasn't until I read Beastie Boys book that it really stood out to me (again, not in a bad way, just kind of hit me later in life). So much of the early part of the book was about how they spent their teenage years just going to Danceteria, Roxy, etc. and all the crazy fun they were having. It crossed my mind that if I wasn't working every day after school from age 14 on my family and I probably would have just died of exposure. When I was younger I used to think "Man, maybe I should have just said fuck it." Then I remember that we only think that's cool when it works out - which it usually does for wealthier people - but when some broke ass kid parties instead of works, we just call him a loser when he inevitably ends up a broke ass man.

But anyway, I'm glad their parents had their shit together enough to give those dudes the time and resources to become my favorite band.

[3stooges]

The other thing to think about is all the privileged kids that had the same opportunities that never did anything. Or they tried to do something but they were just bad at it. This story is alot more common than the success story. And then we have people who came from nothing with zero connections who ended up just making incredible stuff that couldn't be denied. In the end it seems it doesn't really matter either way, it's the artist and the art itself that matters, and not where it came from or what happened beforehand.

[brooklyndust]

Originally Posted by 3stooges

The other thing to think about is all the privileged kids that had the same opportunities that never did anything. Or they tried to do something but they were just bad at it.

Yup, good point. If you don't have the talent, innovation and drive / work ethic then it can only get you so far.

And I'm sure there is more that come from nothing then those who had the advantage. I think it's just an important thing to note, especially for younger artist just starting out. Tell them the whole story to set expectations but not squash dreams.

[balohna]

Originally Posted by tuc70021

Agree with everything brooklyndust said.

I knew the Beasties had a relatively privileged upbringing, but it wasn't until I read Beastie Boys book that it really stood out to me (again, not in a bad way, just kind of hit me later in life). So much of the early part of the book was about how they spent their teenage years just going to Danceteria, Roxy, etc. and all the crazy fun they were having. It crossed my mind that if I wasn't working every day after school from age 14 on my family and I probably would have just died of exposure. When I was younger I used to think "Man, maybe I should have just said fuck it." Then I remember that we only think that's cool when it works out - which it usually does for wealthier people - but when some broke ass kid parties instead of works, we just call him a loser when he inevitably ends up a broke ass man.

But anyway, I'm glad their parents had their shit together enough to give those dudes the time and resources to become my favorite band.

Yeah, even just having the money to go out. At that age I was lucky to have like $20 in my pocket that I could spend freely. I don't know what the prices were like at NYC clubs in the early 80s, but I doubt they were partying every night for free. I remember there being kind of a rift at a certain age where kids start going out more (for me this was around 18, so I had more than $20... maybe like $200 in the bank), when I had to say no to a lot of my friends because I didn't have the disposable income they had. Or I'd say yes and next thing I know I have like $5 to my name.

Not trying to say I had it so hard and the Beastie Boys were spoiled brats that didn't know how good they have it, it just seems clear they may not have ever become what they are if they didn't have disposable income, stable living situations and parents that were willing to let them go out and do what they wanted at a young age.

[BeesTea]

I just reread the BBB bible so some of their childhood narrative is still fresh in my mind. Although MD grew up in a relatively affluent household, it seems as if the the 2 Adams came from more middle-class backgrounds. While I am sure Israel Horowitz was comfortable as a relatively well-known playwright, I think I had read that Adam had lived with his mother and even used her maiden name as his surname suggesting to me that maybe dad wasn’t involved with his kids post-divorce (that definitely could be my personal bias).

AY’s parents were a social worker and architect. Again, these are professions that provide a secure but hardly lavish lifestyle.

I have also read that some of their friends were very good at inking fake handstamps so they could get into venues. I always assumed it was because of an minimum age issue but maybe it was also to avoid cover charges.

I think what DID help the 3 is they each had at least one parent who was in an artistic field. Perhaps their parents were more accepting of following one’s dreams vs going to college at 17 and 4 years later be ready to embark on a lucrative, safe career.


In terms of Hester and her husband: venturing into modern art in the 1950s was fortuitous timing. The Space Race and Cold War were funding technology developments even to labor-saving devices for one’s home. The Beat Generation was developing. I think a lot of the culture at that time carried over into style choices.

Then she switched her specialty to the very different genre of Old Masters. It could have been because she was now a widow and the modern style was always more of her husband’s thing than her true preference. Her switch occurred when Reagan was in office and the I-bankers were doing very well until 10/87.

All of this is conjecture on my part so it’s just my two cents.

[Sir SkratchaLot]

Originally Posted by BeesTea

I just reread the BBB bible so some of their childhood narrative is still fresh in my mind. Although MD grew up in a relatively affluent household, it seems as if the the 2 Adams came from more middle-class backgrounds. While I am sure Israel Horowitz was comfortable as a relatively well-known playwright, I think I had read that Adam had lived with his mother and even used her maiden name as his surname suggesting to me that maybe dad wasn’t involved with his kids post-divorce (that definitely could be my personal bias).

AY’s parents were a social worker and architect. Again, these are professions that provide a secure but hardly lavish lifestyle.

I have also read that some of their friends were very good at inking fake handstamps so they could get into venues. I always assumed it was because of an minimum age issue but maybe it was also to avoid cover charges.

I think what DID help the 3 is they each had at least one parent who was in an artistic field. Perhaps their parents were more accepting of following one’s dreams vs going to college at 17 and 4 years later be ready to embark on a lucrative, safe career.


In terms of Hester and her husband: venturing into modern art in the 1950s was fortuitous timing. The Space Race and Cold War were funding technology developments even to labor-saving devices for one’s home. The Beat Generation was developing. I think a lot of the culture at that time carried over into style choices.

Then she switched her specialty to the very different genre of Old Masters. It could have been because she was now a widow and the modern style was always more of her husband’s thing than her true preference. Her switch occurred when Reagan was in office and the I-bankers were doing very well until 10/87.

All of this is conjecture on my part so it’s just my two cents.

Good points. Also remember that Adrock's mother was renting out a room (presumably to make ends meet).

I think the fact that Mike's family is/was well-to-do but but he's still running wild in the streets during his highschool years is pretty cool. It may be that his folks had a lot of nice art but did not have tons and tons of expendable cash at the time. It may be that they were rich, but he wasn't! It doesn't seem like his parents were giving him tons of money. Look where he was living in the LTI era, a rat infested apartment.

It also doesn't appear that their money (or lack thereof) had a huge direct impact on their success in the music biz. They had the instinct/luck to gravitate towards Rick Reuben. Had that not happened they probably wouldn't have made it very far in hip hop despite their raw talent.

[Sir SkratchaLot]

Mike posted on Instagram about the auction.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKmEQPfM...=14tywjz4ope2d