Posted on 06/02/2008 10:07:32 AM PDT by xcamel
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A spokeswoman says rock pioneer Bo Diddley has died. He was 79.
The spokeswoman says Diddley died of heart failure Monday. He had suffered a heart attack in August 2007, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa.
Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.
Diddley was known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat.
His first single, "Bo Diddley," introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as "shave and a haircut, two bits." The B side, "I'm a Man," with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard.
RIP Bo.
This is the only news of the day. Needs more threads.
Who do you love?
RIP, Bo...
Thanks Bo for all the great memories.
For the remainder of his life he resided in Archer, Florida, a small farming town near Gainesville, Florida, where he attended a born again Christian church with some of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He continued to tour around the world, and as of the summer of 2006, he was planning to record some faith-based songs, at least some of which would be utilizing his own original music.
While recovering from the massive stroke and heart attack, he came back to his home town of (McComb) for the unveiling of a plaque, on the National Blues Trail devoted to him. The plaque stated he was “acclaimed as a founder of rock and roll.” He was not supposed to perform but as he listened to the music of local musician Jesse Robinson, who sang a song written for this occasion, Robinson sensed Bo Diddley wanted to perform and handed him a microphone. That was the first time Bo Diddley performed publicly since his stroke and heart attack.
I guess George Thoroughgood will have to take up song writing.
Bo and Link. They’re the reason I play guitar!
Who Do You Love?
Bo Diddley
I walked 47 miles of barbed wire,
Used a cobra snake for a neck tie.
Got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made out of rattlesnake hide.
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of human skulls.
Now come on darling let’s take a little walk, tell me,
Who do you love,
Who do you love, Who do you love, Who do you love.
Arlene took me by the hand,
And said oooh eeeh daddy I understand.
Who do you love,
Who do you love, Who do you love, Who do you love.
The night was black and the night was blue,
And around the corner an ice wagon flew.
A bump was a hittin’ lord and somebody screemed,
You should have heard just what I seen.
Who do you love, Who do you love, Who do you love, Who do you love.
Arleen took me by my hand, she said Ooo-ee Bo you know I understand
I got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind,
I lived long enough and I ain’t scared of dying.
Who do you love (4x’s)
by Bo Diddley
Just heard “I’m a Man” on my local underground FM, in tribute to Bo. Ages ago, we used to play that song, among other Bo Diddley songs. RIP Bo and rock em upstairs.
I played that tune inone of the first bands I was in. Love it. The greatest version in my opinion was done by Quicksilver Messenger Service.
BTW, that’s “I gots a brand new Chimley made on top...”
When it’s my time, I hope I go where Bo went.
In 1995 Bo Diddley appeared at Mick Fleetwood’s club in Alexandria, VA; Wolfman Jack flew in to serve as Master Of Ceremonies that night. My band at the time was asked to be his backup band that night; we not only played behind him, we had dinner with him and Wolfman Jack that night. What a night that was! Sorry that he’s gone, but he’ll be in the company of all the gone rock cats. Rest in peace, Bo.
Ditto - some really good music. R.I.P.
His first “hit” was a song called “Bo Diddley”! RIP
Bo Diddley has died (90+ posts)
Kind of off topic, but every time I hear his name, I remember my female cousin (now in her 60's) who as a teenager in smalltown Alabama caught hell from her parents for buying one of his records....no "race music" was going to be allowed in the home.
Most of the “race music” never got played in Maine... The Supremes got played in the 60’s...
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