Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll who invented his own name,
his own guitars, his own beat and influenced rockers like Elvis Presley and the
Rolling Stones, died yesterday after battling for months with heart
problems.
Diddley, 79, died at his home in Archer, Florida, early yesterday.
"One of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll has left the building he helped
construct," said the statement released by his management agency, Talent
Consultants International.
Diddley suffered a stroke during a performance in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in
May 2007 and had a stent implanted to improve blood flow to his heart. In August
2007 he had a heart attack in Florida.
Though he scored only a few hits in more than 40 years of recording,
Diddley's impact on the development of rock 'n' roll places him in a pantheon
with Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
The maracas-fueled sound he introduced in 1955 on the song "Bo Diddley"
evolved into what Rolling Stone magazine called "the most plagiarized rhythm of
the 20th century."
Known as "The Originator" of rock and roll, his dark glasses and signature
box-shaped guitars became icons in the music industry.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received a
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Some of his all-time hits include "Who Do You Love," "Before You Accuse Me,"
"Mona" and "I'm a Man."
