I knew a bit about Bo's beat, but nothing about Bo, the man. The only redeeming thing about his passing is that the dialog around his genius is receiving some air time.
Get to know Bo Diddley with this Washington Post piece. I excerpt several key quotes from writer, J. Freedom du Lac below. Listen while you read:
... "Heyyyyy, Bo Diddley."
... Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.
... "The most plagiarized rhythm of the 20th century," Rolling Stone magazine called it.
... Buddy Holly used the Bo Diddley beat on 1957's "Not Fade Away," which became a breakthrough hit for the Rolling Stones when they covered it seven years later.
... Elvis Presley borrowed the beat for "His Latest Flame." The Who rode the rhythm in "Magic Bus," Bruce Springsteen in "She's the One," U2 in "Desire."
... "Faith" by George Michael, "I Want Candy" by the Strangeloves, "1969" by the Stooges, "Willie and the Hand Jive" by Johnny Otis -- all propelled by variations of the Bo Diddley beat.
... Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.
... "Watching Bo Diddley was university for me," Keith Richards recently told Rolling Stone. Jagger said yesterday that Diddley "was very generous to us in our early years and we learned a lot from him."
... In a statement yesterday, Academy chief Neil Portnow hailed Diddley as one of rock-and-roll's "true pioneers" who "leaves an indelible mark on American music and culture."... He added: "The Bo Diddley beat surely will continue on."
... Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.
______Rest in peace, Bo, but never let that rhythm die. We'll always remember you fondly!
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