Beastie Boys member Adam Yaunch has thanked Jay-Z and Coldplay after both acts paid tribute to him at the recent All Points West festival in New jersey.

The band were forced to pull out of the festival last week after Yaunch, better known as MCA, was diagnosed with cancer.

Jay-Z, who replaced the Beastie Boys, began his set with a cover of 'No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn', while Coldplay's Chris Martin sang an acoustic version of 'Fight For Your Right (To Party)'.

“Saw the Jay-Z cover of 'No Sleep...', and the Coldplay one of 'Fight For Your Right' from APW on YouTube. Good Shit,” Yaunch said.

In a letter to fans, Yaunch also gave an update on his cancer battle, saying he was “rapidly recovering” from surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his left salivary gland.

Yaunch also revealed he only spent one night in hospital following the operation a week and a half ago.

“The hospital was too crazy to get any rest so I headed home to relax, have home cooked food and hang out with the family,” he said.

The Beastie Boys star said his neck and jaw “are still pretty stiff from the surgery”, but added: “It gets better everyday.”

Yaunch is due to begin a course of radiation in the coming weeks.

(by Jason Gregory)