Show #166: Remembering Bo Diddley

Ellas McDaniel, a.k.a. - Bo Diddley, passed away last month.



He's probably the only musician to have a beat named after him which Buddy Holly put to good use on "Not Fade Away". The Stones covered him as did Creedence Clearwater Revival. And Quicksilver Messenger Service made a career of doing his songs.

Born in Mississippi, his family moved to Chicago in the mid-1930s where he would study violin and then guitar. As a teen he played at the Maxwell Street market and eventually was signed to the legendary Chess Records where he recorded numerous songs that are now rock'n'roll classics.

"I'm a Man", "Bo Diddley", "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover", "Mona", "Who Do You Love" - the list of great Bo Diddley tunes goes on and on. Check out his Wikipedia entry for an extensive list of those who covered his songs and co-opted his famous beat. The Who, U2...You know the Bo Diddley beat even if you don't know you do.


(Bo Diddley live in 1988 - Photo from here.)

This set was recorded at the Cabooze Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota sometime in 1988. I tried to pin down the exact date but was unable to do so.

Setlist:

She's Crazy
Diddley Daddy
Christmas Is Gonna Be Late
Bo's Reggae Jam
Doin the Bo Pop Shake

Download show

Bo Diddley

Here's Bo Diddley doing "Road Runner" also at an unspecified date in 1988.