Bo Diddley RIP (1928-2008)
Bo Diddley RIP
(1928-2008)
Born Ellas McDaniel on December 30, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi, Bo Diddley became one of the architects of electric American music. His rhythmic, guitar-driven style straddled blues, R & B, and a new sound they called rock and roll. Bo Diddley died today at his home in Florida.
Bo Diddley influenced seminal artists such as Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones (who rendered an incandescent version of Diddley’s “Mona”), Jimi Hendrix, The Animals and Tom Petty (who took Diddley out on the road in 1997). His first hits, ”Bo Diddley/”I’m A Man” emerged in 1955. Diddley recorded with veritable bluesmen Otis Spann, Billy Bob Arnold and Frank Kirkland at Chess Studios. He became a popular performer in the 60s.
In the 70s, Diddley toured with the Clash and The Grateful Dead. Through the years, Diddley’s music became legendary and his zen-like demeanor appealed to all musicians and fans who met him. He toured until 2006, when his health began to decline. His influence runs wide and can be traced back to the earliest seeds of a blooming movement called rock and roll music. America—and the world—lost a musical hero today…
As I write these lines, his classic album Have Guitar Will Travel plays in the background. As of today, we have lost one of the last authentic rock and roll pioneers…
The flag flies at half mast,
James Calemine
Related Dispatches
- Bona Fide Gold
- Vodka and Bulldogs: The Day I Met Lewis Grizzard
- Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
- Time to Cowboy Up
- The Black Crowes In Birmingham