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Bo Diddley

File:Bo-Diddley.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Bo Diddley

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Also known as Ellas Otha Bates, Ellas McDaniel, The Originator

American guitarist (1928–2008)

Person · Open Library

Works
9

Top works

  • Bo Diddley
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  • Bo Diddley - Guitar Solos

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting · McComb, Mississippi, USA

Bo Diddley, born Elias Otha Bates, was an original and influential American rock & roll singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was known as "The Originator" because of the key role in the transition from blues music to rock & roll, influencing a host of legendary acts including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones to name a few. He introduced more insistent, driving…

Known for

  • Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World — Self (archive footage)2023
  • Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan — Self (archive footage)2023
  • Rolling With the Blues — Self (archive footage)2007
  • Cheat You Fair: The Story of Maxwell Street — self2006
  • Eddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody — Self (archive footage)2004
  • A Tribute to Muddy Waters - Live — Self2003
  • Bluesy Entertainment: Live — Self2003
  • Godfathers and Sons — Self (archival)2003
  • Screamin' Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me — Himself2001
  • According to Jim — Bo Diddley2001

via TMDB

Music · MusicBrainz

Type
Person
Gender
Male
Origin
United States
Active from
1928
Active to
2008
2008 universal fire victimbluesblues rockelectric bluesfunkr&b

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners
637,616
Total plays
5,719,601

Tags

bluesrhythm and bluesRock and Rollrocksoul

Ellas Bates McDaniel (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who played an important role in the transition from blues to rock and roll. He influenced a wide range of artists, including Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, George Thorogood, Syd Barrett, Tom Petty, and the Clash. Diddley was known for incorporating African-inspired rhythms into his music <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Bo+D

via Last.fm · Bo Diddley

Key facts

Also known as
Ellas Bates McDaniel The Originator
Born
Ellas Otha Bates , ( 1928-12-30 ) December 30, 1928, McComb, Mississippi , U.S.
Died
June 2, 2008 (2008-06-02) (aged 79), Archer, Florida , U.S.
Genres
Rock and roll blues psychedelic funk R&B
Occupations
Musician singer songwriter guitarist
Instruments
Guitar vocals
Years active
1943–2008
Labels
Checker Chess RCA Triple X Atlantic
Website
BoDiddley.com

via Wikipedia infobox

~30 min read

Encyclopedic overview

Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, George Thorogood, Syd Barrett, Tom Petty, and the Clash.

His use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent hambone rhythm, is a cornerstone of hip hop, rock, and pop music. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2017. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Diddley is also recognized for his technical innovations, including his use of tremolo and reverb effects to enhance the sound of his distinctive rectangular guitars.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Bo Diddley” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (6)