R.I.P. To Joan Rivers. Remember Her Partying With The Beastie Boys? (Video)

This week, pop culture lost an icon in Joan Rivers. Known for self-deprecating humor, as well as a fearless comedic critique of her peers, the 81 year-old Brooklyn, New Yorker died yesterday (September 4) after complications from a heart attack and subsequent coma.

In the late 1980s, Rivers hosted a FOX-backed talk show. The program, which aired for just over one year, would prove to be the basis of a rift between Rivers and one of her mentors, the late Johnny Carson. Carson, who viewed 1987-1988’s “The Late Show” as competition, no longer spoke to the comedian he helped introduce through his own “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” The feud is chronicled in the 2010 documentary, Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work.

From that limited run in the earliest days of FOX, three of Joan’s guests were none other than fellow New Yorkers, The Beastie Boys. Then signed with Def Jam Records, the Licensed To Ill trio appeared on late night to perform “(You Gotta) Fight For You Right (To Party)” on the show.

After the party-rockin’, the Beasties stepped over to Rivers’ desk, a year after their (would-be) nine-times-platinum debut LP dropped. It’s wild to see the balance of snark and respect from both sides as Joan speaks to fellow Brooklynite MCA, along with Ad-Rock and Mike D in the group’s post-Punk days. This is a cool and captivating moment in time, with two beloved icons that are no longer here.

Related: What If ALL Of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique Was A Video? (Video)