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Rock N' Roll Legend Bo Diddley Passes At 79

  Bo Diddley, one of the founders of the Rock and Roll form of music died Monday June 2, after months of ill health. His innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Little Richard. He was 79.
    Diddley's spokeswoman, Susan Clary, said  he  died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla.  He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.

Posted June 4, 2008

    The legendary singer and performer was known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat. He was born Otha Ellas Bates in Mississippi in 1928 and later renamed Ellas Bates McDaniel.
    Bo Diddley was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards.
In recent years he also played for the elder President Bush and President Clinton.
    Diddley appreciated the honors he received, "but it didn't put no figures in my checkbook."

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