Bo Diddley, born Ellas McDaniel on December 30, 1928, was a trailblazing American musician who left an indelible mark on rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues. Known for his distinctive "Bo Diddley beat," which would go on to influence a myriad of artists, including Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, Diddley's music was a unique blend of African rhythms and rock guitar that helped define the emerging sound of the rock'n'roll era. This self-proclaimed "Originator" made his breakthrough with the eponymous single "Bo Diddley," coupled with "I'm A Man" in 1955, establishing a template for future rock music.

Throughout his career, Bo Diddley pushed the boundaries with his fierce guitar playing and larger-than-life stage persona. Albums like "Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger" and "The London Bo Diddley Sessions" showcased his ability to merge the blues with rock and other genres, infusing them with his fiery showmanship and incisive lyrics. Despite experiencing racial discrimination and music industry hurdles, he persisted, leaving a legacy that stretched well beyond his "most recent" releases, influencing the course of modern music while earning induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Bo's boldness and rhythmic innovations have made him not just a man, but a legend, standing as an archetype for rock guitarists and rhythm aficionados around the world. Bo Diddley passed away on June 2, 2008, but his music and influence remain foundational to rock and rhythm and blues.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Blues

Chicago Blues

Electric Blues

Rock-and-roll

Rockabilly

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

Chuck Berry

Little Richard

Jerry Lee Lewis

Muddy Waters

Howlin' Wolf

Buddy Holly

John Lee Hooker

Fats Domino

The Rolling Stones

Elmore James

B.B. King

Eddie Cochran

Latest Release

Bo Diddley (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, November 20, 1955)

Bo Diddley

Single - Released September 3, 2020