Bo Diddley, R.I.P.

Rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley has died at the age of 79 in Florida.  He recorded for the Chess label in Chicago and so many of his songs are rock standards it’s tough to pick out one or two.  “Bo Diddley,” his first hit, introduced the jerky rhythm (shave-and-a-haircut-two-bits) that would mark many of his songs.  The Bo Diddley Beat appears in many songs by other artists including Bruce Springsteen (“She’s The One”), U2 (“Desire”) and the Rolling Stones (“Not Fade Away”).  Many of his songs were recorded by other artists also, including Creedence Clearwater Revival (“Before You Accuse Me”) and George Thorogood (“Who Do You Love?”). 

Associated Press news story on Bo Diddley’s death

MP3: “Bring It To Jerome”

MP3: “Run Diddley Daddy”

MP3: “Say Man”

MP3: “Bo Diddley”

MP3: “Who Do You Love”

MP3: “I’m A Man”