2 June 2008 @ 12:55Bo Diddley dead at 79

Guitarist Bo Diddley passed away today at age 79 of heart failure.

The world-renowned guitarist’s signature beat — usually played on an equally distinctive rectangular-bodied guitar — laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll, and became so identified with him that it became known as the “Bo Diddley” beat. It was unlike anything else heard in pop music.

This distinctive, African-based 5/4 rhythm pattern (which goes bomp-bomp-bomp bomp-bomp) was picked up by other artists and has been a distinctive and recurring element in rock ‘n’ roll through the decades,” according to the Rock ‘n’ Roll

[via CNN]

Bo Diddley with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Bo Diddley music at Amazon.com