Beastie Boys have been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Other nominees are Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Chic, Neil Diamond, Donovan (Adam Horovitz’s former father-in-law), Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J (who was discovered by Adam Horovitz), Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits, and Chuck Willis.

The inductees will be announced in December, and the awards ceremony will be held on March 14 in New York City.

Propellerhead, the maker of music software Reason, recently taped a video interview with Adam Horovitz in his home studio. In the interview (above), Horovitz discusses sampling and his approach to making music.

An outtake video (below) has Horovitz sharing stories about the Beastie Boys early days.

Michele Lupi and Adam Yauch in Venice. Photo: GQ.com Italy.

Michele Lupi, the editor-in-chief of GQ Italy, has become an unusual source for an update on Adam Yauch. In an editorial posted at GQ.com Italy, Lupi describes meeting Yauch in Venice this month and shares details from personal conversations with Yauch.

In his editorial (published in Italian HERE [DEAD LINK]), Lupi explains how he came to connect with Yauch. The story goes that Lupi was contacted by Italian rapper Jovanotti, a friend of Yauch's, to help Yauch find a house to rent in Venice while he attended the Venice Film Festival. Lupi used his connections to help out Yauch.

During a party for the Venice Film Festival, Lupi ran into Yauch and introduced himself as the guy who helped him with the house. Yauch thanked him, and the two chatted casually. Lupi decided to brave the personal question about Yauch's health and was surprised that Yauch responded openly and frankly. Yauch told Lupi that after 12 months of trying to beat the cancer, he believes that he has finally found the cure. Yauch said the trip to Venice and the Venice Film Festival was to celebrate the cure.