Meet Bo Diddley who led the Transition from Blues to Rock and Roll

Get to know the Artist Who Did Something “Unheard of” with His Guitar in Four Songs 

Bo Diddley's distinctive, rhythmic beat has influenced rock artists for more than 40 years.

In celebration of Black Music Month this year, we’d like to take a moment to spotlight a selection of artists with Mississippi roots who have significantly enriched the national music landscape.  The History  McComb, Miss., native Bo Diddley is a pioneering figure in the development of rock 'n' roll music. His unique blend of African rhythms and traditional African American hambone rhythms gave early rock 'n' roll part of its rhythmic structure. Rob Fields, a music marketing executive and rock blogger, says Diddley’s rhythmic beat has influenced rock artists for more than 40 years.  “Bo Diddley was important because he did something that was completely unheard of at the time, and that was, he used his guitar as a percussion instrument, not as melody or color, but as something that was an extension of what drums would be doing.” 

The Rise  Diddley’s unique rhythmic guitar performances played a key role in the transition from blues to rock 'n' roll. Legendary rock artists such as Syd Barrett, Buddy Holly, George Thorogood, the Animals, the Clash, the Beetles, and the Rolling Stones cite him as a major influence on their work. Among his many hits are “Who Do You Love,” “Road Runner,” “Hey Mona,” and “Bo Didley.”  He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017. Diddley also received lifetime achievement awards from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation and the Grammys. 

 The Hits  “Who Do You Love,”  

“Road Runner,”  

“Hey Mona,”