Bo Diddley

Name: Otha Ellas Bates
Born/Died: 28th December, 1928 (McComb, Missisippi) - 2nd June, 2008

Profile: He is an American rock & roll vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and inventor. He was known as "The Originator" because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock & roll. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs. He was known in particular for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.

History: Diddley grew up in Chicago where he was exposed to post-war blues. As a boy he played violin and trombone before switching to guitar when he was 18 years old, inspired by a concert where he saw John Lee Hooker performed.

By busking on street corners with friends in a band called "The Hipsters". In 1951, he landed a regular spot at the 708 Club on Chicago's South Side. In late 1954, he teamed up with harmonica player Billy Boy Arnold, drummer Clifton James and bass player Roosevelt Jackson, and recorded demos of "I'm A Man" and "Bo Diddley" (which became number one R&B hit and adopted the stage name "Bo Diddley").

He continued to have hits through the late 50's and the 60's, in addition to the many songs recorded by him, in 1956 he co-wrote, with Jody Williams, the pioneering pop song "Love Is Strange", a hit for Mickey & Sylvia in 1957.

Diddley spent many years in New Mexico from 1971 to 1978 continuing his musical career. In 1979, he appeared as an opening act for "The Clash" along with B.B. King, Les Paul, Albert Collins, George Benson, among others and joined "The Rolling Stones" as a guest on their 1994 concert broadcast of Voodoo Lounge.

Influences: John Lee Hooker, Louis Jordan and Muddy Waters.

Axology: Custom-made Gretsch electrics and Magnatone amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=979rwnVPG4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHs6f0mlkaM

"My music has a little bit of a spiritual taste, but it's also primitive. I play the guitar as if I was playing drums" - Bo Diddley