Guitarist pioneer Bo Diddley, known for songs lilke “Who Do You Love?” and “Bo Diddley” has died at the age of 79 due to heart failure. He had suffered from diabetes for many years, but even so, he continued to tour through 2006.
Diddley is known for his signature beat, which is often known as the “Bo Diddley Beat.” It is an African-based 5/4 rhythm pattern which was picked up by many other rock ‘n’ roll greats such as Buddy Holly, Johnny Otis, the Strangeloves, U2, and even George Michael. Many, many artists have done covers of Bo’s songs over the years including George Thorogood, The Clash, The Who, The Remains, The Yardbirds, Juicy Lucy, Patti Smith, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Chris Isaak, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Bo was born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, Mississippi. He took the last name of McDaniel after being adopted by his mother’s cousin. Bo played the violin when he was young, but switched to the guitar after he heard the 1949 version of John Lee Hooker’s blues hit “Boogie Chillen.”
Bo worked as a carpenter and mechanic, but played music on street corners with his band, the Hipsters. When he landed a gig in the 708 Club in Chicago in 1951, he changed his name to Bo Diddley. The origin of his stage name is still unclear. Some believe he may have taken the name from the southern slang phrase “bo diddley” which means “nothing at all.” Some say Bo Diddley was his nickname when he was a teen Golden Gloves boxer. And, even others think it refers to the diddley bow, an instrument used by black musicians while working in the fields.
Regardless of where the name came from, we now know Bo Diddley as the great musician who first hit the charts in 1951 with the song “Bo Diddley.” In 1955, Bo was invited to play on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” but ticked Ed off so much so when he played his song “Bo Diddley” instead of the Tennessee Ernie Ford hit “Sixteen Tons” that he was banned from the show forever.
Bo had more hits through the late Fifties and Sixties. The Rolling Stones opened from him in 1963 (they were still basically unknown at the time). He later appeared in concert as their guest. He even played with the Grateful Dead in 1972. Bo was also a groundbreaker – being one of the first American musicians to have a woman in his band.
Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.