Bo Diddley Dies at age 79.

This is the Bo Diddley that I remember today and the Bo Diddley I will remember tomarrow!

Bo Diddley, who was a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll ,whose distinctive “shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79.

Just miles from where I am, Do Diddley rests in eternal peace. His giant heart of rock and roll has made the last beats and a nation of fans and followers, will not forget him.

Bo Diddley had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. The stroke affected his ability to speak so he returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.

The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. Howard Kramer, assistant curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, said in 2006 that Diddley’s Chess recordings “stand among the best singular recordings of the 20th century.”

In recent years he also played for the elder President Bush and President Clinton.

The name Bo Diddley came from other youngsters when he was growing up in Chicago, he said in a 1999 interview.

“I don’t know where the kids got it, but the kids in grammar school gave me that name,” he said, adding that he liked it so it became his stage name. Other times, he gave somewhat differing stories on where he got the name. Some experts believe a possible source for the name is a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow.

His first single, “Bo Diddley,” introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as “shave and a haircut, two bits.” The B side, “I’m a Man,” with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard. His songs were crisp and where easy to sing along with.

Bo Diddley was also one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, adding reverb and tremelo effects. He even rigged some of his guitars himself. The songs that he wrote were extensions of his music. He was a giant.

Born as Ellas Bates on Dec. 30, 1928, in McComb, Miss., Diddley was later adopted by his mother’s cousin and took on the name Ellis McDaniel, which his wife always called him.

I will miss you and your music and I will continue to be a Bo Diddley fan!
~The Baby Boomer Queen~