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Bo Diddley (real name Ellas Otha Bates) was born on December 30, 1928 and died on June 2, 2008. He was an influential American rock and roll singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
Often cited as a key figure in the transition from blues to rock and roll, he introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged guitar sound. He was also known for his characteristic rectangular guitar.
At the when he was seven, he took violin lessons as a youth, but was inspired to become a guitarist after seeing John Lee Hooker.
He worked as a carpenter and mechanic, but also began a musical career playing on street corners with friends, including Jerome Green (1934–1973), as a band called the Hipsters (later the Langley Avenue Jive Cats).
In 1951, he landed a regular spot at the 708 Club on Chicago's South Side, with a repertoire influenced by Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. He adopted the stage name, Bo Diddley, which is probably a southern black slang phrase meaning "nothing at all", as in "he ain't bo diddley".
Bo Diddley was well known for the "Bo Diddley beat," a rumba-like beat (see clave), similar to "hambone", a style used by street performers who play out the beat by slapping and patting their arms, legs, chest, and cheeks while chanting rhymes.
On November 20, 1955, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show only to infuriate the host. "I did two songs and he got mad," Bo Diddley later recalled. "Ed Sullivan said that I was one of the first colored boys to ever double-cross him. Said that I wouldn't last six months".
Bo Diddley was asked to sing Tennessee Ernie Ford's hit "Sixteen Tons", but when he appeared on stage, he sang "Bo Diddley." He was banned from further appearances.
In 1963, he starred in a UK concert tour with the Everly Brothers and Little Richard. The Rolling Stones, still unknown, were much lower on the same bill. Over the decades, his performances have ranged from sweaty Chicago clubs to rock and roll oldies tours. He appeared as an opening act for The Clash in 1979 and as a guest of the Rolling Stones.
On March 25, 1972, he played with The Grateful Dead at the Academy of Music in New York City. This concert was released for the Grateful Dead's Dick's Picks live album series as Volume 30.
In addition to the many songs identified with him, he wrote the pioneering pop song "Love Is Strange" for Mickey & Sylvia under a pseudonym.
Bo Diddley was one of the first American musicians to have women in his band, including Peggy Jones (aka Lady Bo, b. 1940), Norma-Jean Wofford (aka The Duchess, c. 1942-2005) and Cornelia Redmond (aka Cookie). He also set up one of the first home recording studios. |
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