Bo Tribute
Bo Diddley leaves the Stage
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of rock ‘n’ roll legend Bo Diddley who died on Monday of heart failure at the age of 79.
Diddley, who was born Ellas Otha Bates in Magnolia, Mississippi on December 30th, 1928, moved with his family to the Southside of Chicago in 1934. Acquiring the nickname, Bo Diddley, he initially became involved in church music, but was soon to be found playing out on the streets and in the clubs with his own rhythm & blues band. He signed for Leonard and Phil Chess’s self-named record company in 1955. His first hit, "Bo Diddley" featured his trademark "shave-a-haircut-six-bits" rhythm which became such a huge influence on popular music. With other hits such as "Diddley Daddy", "Who Do You Love" and "Say Man" he became one of the true giants of the 50’s rock ‘n’ roll scene.
His career received a further boost in the 60’s when the up-and-coming wave of British bands adopted his music as a major influence. The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Yardbirds, The Who, The Pretty Things (who named themselves after one of his songs) and many more recorded his numbers and exposed his music to a new generation of fans. Since then, he had been regarded as one of the true elder statesmen of popular music, regularly receiving accolades such as his induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in 1997.
With his weird and wonderful instrumental sounds, idiosyncratic lyrics, garish plaid jackets and strangely-shaped guitars, he embodied the true spirit of loonyism and I’m sure fellow members will join with me in paying tribute to the great man.
- Wynonie Harris, Shadow Minister for Real Rhythm & Blues
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