Diddley, Bo (1928-2008), was an American singer, guitarist, and composer who influenced the development of American rhythm and blues and rock music in the 1950’s. Diddley was a pioneer in the use of the electric guitar, playing with a short, rhythmic beat widely imitated by later rock musicians. He was a colorful performer, often playing a rectangular or square guitar.
Diddley’s beat became popular with leading rock performers, such as Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. His music gained international recognition after many of his compositions were recorded by the Rolling Stones and other British bands in the 1960’s.
Otha Ellas Bates was born on Dec. 30, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi. He was adopted as a child by his mother’s cousin and took her last name of McDaniel. He moved with his family to Chicago in the early 1930’s. There are varying explanations of how he received the nickname “Bo Diddley.”
Diddley taught himself to play the guitar as a teenager and became a professional musician in 1951. He signed a recording contract in 1955. He recorded two hit rhythm and blues songs that year, “Bo Diddley” and “I’m a Man.” His other hits included “Say Man” (1959) and “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover” (1962). Diddley recorded with the rock star Chuck Berry in 1964 and the blues singer Muddy Waters in 1968. Diddley was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He died on June 2, 2008.
