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Bo Diddley Dead at 79

Posted Jun 2, 08 1:14 PM CDT in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, who made his first recordings in 1955 and was still touring last year, died today at 79, the AP reports. The singer and guitarist, born Ellas Bates in Mississippi in 1928, not only pioneered distorted guitar tones; his bragging, syncopated style foreshadowed rap as well, Billboard reports.

The distinctive “Bo Diddley beat” echoes through modern pop—think Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” Bruce Springsteen’s “She’s the One,” even George Michael’s “Faith”—but the man himself was unable to capitalize, the LA Times reports. He styled himself “the Originator,” but "have I been recognized? No, no, no."

Sources: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Billboard

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  • Bo Diddley's Beat Sure to Carry

    Jun 3, 08 12:21 PM CDT
    Bo Diddley's Beat Sure to Carry You can’t have a moment of silence for Bo Diddley, J. Freedom du Lac writes in the Washington Post. It’s not that the music world hasn’t lost a great pioneer—it surely has. It’s that the mere mention of Diddley’s name sets your feet tapping to the “Bo Diddley beat,” the most imitated rhythm line in rock and roll: Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp. More »

The artist in 2003.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)
Bo Diddley in 1987.   (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Diddley in 2005.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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death  • musician  • rock and roll  • blues  • heart failure  • Bo Diddley


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