The Beastie Boys were all ready to rock out with a 3-month tour launching at the All Points West Festival at month’s end. Life seems to have had other plans for the group as they were forced to cancel all tour dates and put their latest album on the backburner as it was announced that Adam “MCA” Yauch has cancer. The cancer is reportedly located in his left salivary gland and requires immediate surgery.

In a video statement to fans, Yauch stated, “The good news is that they did scans of my whole body and it’s only localized in this one area and it’s not in a place that affects my voice. So, that’s nice. That’s convenient.”

He is looking to have surgery next week with chemotherapy to follow. No word as yet as to how long the tour will be delayed, yet Yauch apologized to those who had already made plans for the upcoming Beastie Boys tour dates. Among them were headlining many of the big upcoming festivals including Austin City Limits, Outside Lands and Lollapalooza. The new album “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1″ that was due for release on September 15 has also been shelved for the moment as the band supports their brother in need.