Bo Diddley - RIP

I recall the first time I heard Bo Diddley. This was before Elvis, before little Richard, before Buddy Holly, before Chuck Berry, and all of the rest who claim to have been the first in rock and roll. I had a tiny transistor radio and as I rotated the tuner know a sound I had never heard before jumped from the radio. It was that syncopated, foot stomping beat, unlike any before it that became known as the Bo Diddley sound. Rhythmic, electric guitars pounded out the5/4 syncopated beat that entered your head once and never left. Who can forget the following lyrics:?

Bo Diddley bought his babe a diamond ring....

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

If that diamond ring don't shine....

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

He gonna take it to a Private Eye....

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

If that Private Eye can't see...

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

He better not take that ring from me....

It was the rythym and a unique beat that gave these words life. The syncopated beat grabbed you and made a dancer out of the most reluctant Gene Kelly. The words which only a Bo Diddley could have written were rough and unsophisicated, but were tales form Bo's life.....an example from another song (hey Bo Diddley)

Saw my baby run across the field....

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

Slippin' and sliddin' like an automobile...

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

Hollern' my baby got towed away...

[Electric guitars]....bump de bump bump, bump de bump bump....

Slipped on from me like a Cadillac - 8.....

Hey! Bo Diddley, Oh! Bo Diddley....

Hey! Bo Diddley, Oh! Bo Diddley....

I'm sorry I can't replicate the musical sound, but it was unique. When Bo Diddley music was played there was never a need to announce the name of the man. Everyone knew and waited for the Bo Diddley sound. He was truly the first rhythmic-blues rock singer and teenagers loved everything he touched.

Bo Diddley never received the name recognition or the big payrolls of those who followed in his footsteps (Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard and Buddy Holly), but he made it all possible. He never made an issue out his lack of recognition, but knew the roll he played. He once said of all the rock and roll performers, "I was the first dude out there". and he was.

In a recent interview on PBS at age 77 Bo stated "you are never too old to rock and roll" and he lived up to that belief by continuing to perform until he had a stroke last year, followed within months by a heart attack.

He died yesterday at age 79.

He will be missed.

In saying good by to Bo Diddley the lyrics form one of less well known songs (Deraest Darling) seem appropriate:

Don't You Know,
The Lord above,
Created you....

Just for me to love,
Picked you out from all the rest,
Because he knew I loved you best,

God's speed Bo Diddley.

You brought us joy and we will miss you.