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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

R.I.P. Bo Diddley




Bo Diddley made page one of the New York Times, Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Both there and on page B1, times critic Ben Ratliff wrote insightfully as suggested by the page one headline, "Bo Diddley, who Gave Rock His Beat, Dies at 79." Here's what we have in our store:

1959 maroon checker single

1957 maroon checker single

La Bamba soundtrack with Bo Diddley on it

Black label Go Bo Diddley on Checker

1958 black label on Chess debut album

It was what we called the Bo Diddley Beat and it does have a sibling resemblance to the Latin clave. The beat can be found in songs from then til now. As a founding father, he was revered by many rock'n roll fans, musicians, and students of popular culture. Like Chuck Berry, he brought a different kind of rhythm/lead guitar to the fore. Here's the times obit from 6/3/08.