Bo Diddley

**Bo Diddley** (born **Ellas Bates**, December 30, 1928 in McComb, Mississippi, died June 2, 2008 in Archer, Florida) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was one of the original rock and roll musicians; he, along with others, created rock music.

In 1955, he recorded and released his first songs. He is most famous for the rhythm which he has made popular in many of his recordings. The rhythm has become known as the Bo Diddley beat. Some of the most popular songs which feature the Bo Diddley beat include "Not Fade Away" and "I Want Candy", George Michael's song "Faith" and U2's song "Desire". Bo Diddley is also famous for the unusual shapes of many of his guitars, for his exciting stage shows and for his use of female musicians.

Bo Diddley made many appearances on radio, television and in the movies. In 1956, he co-wrote the popular song "Love Is Strange" for the singing duo Mickey and Sylvia.

Some of his most popular songs are: "I'm A Man" (1955), "Pretty Thing" (1955), "Bring It To Jerome" (1955), "Diddy Wah Diddy" (1955), "Who Do You Love" (1956), "Mona (I Need You Baby)" (1957), "Before You Accuse Me" (1957), "Crackin' Up" (1959), "Say Man" (1959), "Say Man, Back Again" (1959), "Road Runner" (1960), "Pills" (1961), "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" (1962) and "I Can Tell" (1962).

Bo Diddley often sang simple or amusing songs about himself. Some of these songs are "Bo Diddley" (1955), "Diddley Daddy" (1955), "Hey Bo Diddley" (1957), "Bo Meets The Monster" (1958), "Bo Diddley's A Gunslinger" (1960), "Just Like Bo Diddley" (1989), "Bo Diddley Is Crazy" (1996) and "Oops! Bo Diddley" (1996).

His songs have been recorded by many other popular recording artists, including Aerosmith, The Animals, Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Dr. Feelgood, The Doors, Buddy Holly, Chris Isaak, New York Dolls, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, The Who and The Yardbirds.

In 2003, U.S. Representative John Conyers paid tribute to Bo Diddley in the United States House of Representatives when he described him as "one of the true pioneers of rock and roll, who has influenced generations".

In 2005, Bo Diddley celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with successful tours of Australia and Europe and with coast-to-coast shows across North America.

On June 2, 2008, Diddley died from heart failure at the age of 79.

## Discography

- _Bo Diddley_ (1958)
- _Go Bo Diddley_ (1959)
- _Have Guitar Will Travel_ (1960)
- _Bo Diddley in the Spotlight_ (1960)
- _Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger_ (1960)
- _Bo Diddley Is a Lover_ (1961)
- _Bo Diddley's a Twister_ (1962)
- _Bo Diddley_ (1962)
- _Bo Diddley & Company_ (1962)
- _Surfin' with Bo Diddley_ (1963)
- _Bo Diddley's Beach Party_ (1963)
- _Bo Diddley's 16 All-Time Greatest Hits_ (1964)
- _Two Great Guitars_ (with Chuck Berry) (1964)
- _Hey Good Lookin_' (1965)
- _500% More Man_ (1965)
- _The Originator_ (1966)
- _Super Blues_ (with Muddy Waters & Little Walter) (1967)
- _Super Super Blues Band_ (with Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf) (1967)
- _The Black Gladiator_ (1970)
- _Another Dimension_ (1971)
- _Where It All Began_ (1972)
- _Got My Own Bag of Tricks_ (1972)
- _The London Bo Diddley Sessions_ (1973)
- _Big Bad Bo_ (1974)
- _20th Anniversary of Rock & Roll_ (1976)
- _I'm a Man_ (1977)
- _Ain't It Good To Be Free_ (1983)
- _Bo Diddley & Co - Live_ (1985)
- _Hey...Bo Diddley in Concert_ (1986)
- _Breakin' Through the BS_ (1989)
- _Living Legend_ (1989)
- _Rare & Well Done_ (1991)
- _Live at the Ritz_ (with Ronnie Wood) (1992)
- _This Should Not Be_ (1993)
- _Promises_ (1994)
- _A Man Amongst Men_ (1996)
- _Moochas Gracias_ (with Anna Moo) (2002)

## Other websites

- Authorised Website
- The Official Bo Diddley MySpace Page
- The Bo Diddley Legacy MySpace Page
- Talent Source Management

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **name**: Bo Diddley
- **img**: BoDiddley1997.jpg
- **img capt**: Bo Diddley performing on-stage
- **background**: solo_singer
- **birth name**: Ellas Bates
- **alias**: Ellas B. McDaniel
Bo Diddley
The Originator
- **birth place**: Pike County, Mississippi, Pike County, Mississippi
- **death place**: Archer, Florida, Archer, Florida
- **origin**: McComb, Mississippi
- **instrument**: singing, Vocals, guitar
- **genre**: Rock and roll, blues
- **occupation**: Singer, guitarist, songwriter
- **years active**: 1951 – 2008
- **label**: Chess Records
Checker Records
- **website**: [http://www.bodiddley.com Official Website bodiddley.com]