We Knew Diddley

“While you are young, you better have your fun. Because when you get old your fun is done. Let the kids dance. Let the kids dance.” Lyrics of a rock and roll legend who showed his generation that the fun could keep on coming. Born in McComb, Mississippi on December 30th, 1928, Bo Diddley, aka Otha Ellas Bates and Ellas McDaniel died June 2nd, 2008 of heart failure at the age of 79 in Florida where he lived.

His career started when Diddley, with his mother’s cousin as his guardian, moved to Chicago at the age of seven. Like most black entertainers, Diddley first developed his talent for music in the church. Boxing and music kept him focused when not in school, where classmates christened him “Bo Diddley”. Known for marrying the sound of the bluesy South with the gritty streets of Chicago, Diddley became a rock and roll icon, known for his guitar and vocal sounds. His square home-made guitar became legendary in its own right, spawning many imitators.

Perfecting his craft in an era where artists were paid a flat fee for their contributions, Diddley continued to create and perform well into his 70’s. His music not only influenced the American generation through Buddy Holly and Bruce Springsteen that followed, he also amassed a following in the U.K. impacting such bands as the Rolling Stones, U2, the Clash and many others. While continuing to tour, Bo made guest appearances in movies like Blues Brothers 2000 and Trading Places with Eddie Murphy. Diddley made his mark on a newer generation with the well known “Bo Knows” sneaker commercials he starred in with athlete Bo Jackson.

In many of the video clips of past performances being posted online in homage to a musical talent who planned with his soul, there is a glimpse of what music was meant to do. Teenagers both white and black dancing uninhibited appreciating the source with little regard to the color of the outlet. Regardless of its origin, good music is good music.

Otha Ellas “Bo Diddley” McDaniel, is a fine representation of the lack of segregation in music. Often as a society we try to categorize art by its creator. The likes of Bo Diddley and many others like him show the impact of art and its inability to be bound by color lines. In that light, we all knew Bo Diddley.

Resources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=979rwnVPG4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfUni4-5-GA&feature=related

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3753553.stm