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Bo Diddley

 



Bo Diddley LP Cover | tc027

Ellas Otha Bates (Bo Diddley) was born in McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928.  He is one of the most original artistes in music, in any genre. He mixed African rhythms with a traditional "hambone" rhythm to create a unique cornerstone of modern music.  He is also known for his distinctive guitar designs and technical innovations. For songwriting credits he used the name Ellas McDaniel. His records feature insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound. 

At school in Chicago he took up boxing and sparring and was given the nickname "Bo Diddley" by his class mates. He regarded it as an insult. Bo Diddley worked as a  carpenter and also as a mechanic before taking up music. He was inspired to take up music when he watched John Lee Hooker perform. His other early influences are thought to be Muddy Waters and Louis Jordan. His signature song, Bo Diddley, was recorded in 1954 at Universal Recordings with Roosevelt Jackson (bass), Otis Spann (piano), Lester Davenport (harmonica), Frank Kirkland (drums), and Jerome Green (maracas). The record was released in March 1955, becoming a No. 1 hit on the American R&B Charts. On some of Diddley’s recordings the drummer was Clifton James.

Between 1958 and 1963 Checker released no less than eleven Bo Diddley albums.

During the 1970s he lived in New Mexico where he became a Deputy Sheriff in Valencia County Citizen's Patrol, donating three highway patrol cars.

Bo Diddley died from heart failure at his Archer, Florida home on June 2, 2008.

Bo Diddley Official Website

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