R&R/R&B PIONEER: BO DIDDLEY PASSES (Aged 79)
HE was without question...one of the early fathers of Rock'n Roll--and a guitarist whose style influenced many of the iconic artists who came later: Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones.
BO (Ellas Bates) was born in Mississippi, but grew up in Chicago where he played on street corners before he was discovered. He leaves behind a sound that helped build a musical movement! In 1957, Charlie Gracie headlined Alan Freed's Easter Shows at the Brooklyn Paramount where he met Bo for the first time: "Bo was a great fellow and a lot of fun to be around. He was driving a big green '55 or '56 Caddy at that time...and between shows, he would be outside polishing that big baby. We traded guitars backstage and had a blast. We were supposed to perform together last year in Green Bay (Fabulous 50s Festival at the Oneida Casino) when Bo took ill. It was a great disappointment. I loved Bo...he was one of the greats and we'll all miss him. God Bless His Soul. I still perform his classic 'Bo Diddley' on stage and will continue to do so in tribute. Charlie Gracie