Bandmember Adam Yauch apologetic for actions of errant uncle.
September 9, 1994, New York City -
The pop music world was set on it early last night at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall when Nathaniel Hornblower, uncle of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, stormed onstage during the presentation of the Best Direction in a Video award. Hornblower interrupted an acceptance speech by R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe on behalf of director Jake Scott, calling Scott's victory in the category over Spike Jonze, who directed the Beastie Boys' ''Sabotage'', ''an outrage''.
Hornblower, a 42-year-old native of Appenzell, Switzerland who has collaborated on several Beastie Boys video clips, was escorted offstage by security and subsequently detained. Authorities released Hornblower on his own recogniscence after confiscating a drained wine skin from him. When reached for comment, Hornblower said, ''I apologize if I offended anybody. I just felt that the world had to know of Spike's genius.'' Hornblower's nephew, Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, was a featured performer at the ceremoney. Having witnessed the incident, Yauch commented, ''It was a little confusing to see my uncle being dragged out of the venue by securtiy as I was walking onstage. He can be something of a loose cannon. He means well, but he does have a bit of a drinking problem.'' The Beastie Boys were nominated for four awards, including Best Video of the Year, and recently co-headlined this summer's Lollapalooza festival tour. The band's most recent album, Ill Communication was released in May of the year.
Hornblower came to international prominence in 1979, when his short film ''Jedenmann Tut Weg'' won the coveted Boesach award at the prestigious Reinguilden Film Festival. He has since collaborated on or directed numerous Beastie Boys video projects, including the Skills to Pay the Bills and Sabotage longform home videos. Hornblower plans to return to Switzerland upon the completion of a series of lectures on film theory at New York University.
