The Mosh Pit 6.06.08: Bo Diddley Tribute

Posted by Dan Haggerty on 06.06.2008

The Mosh Pit takes a break this week to talk about the life of one of the giants of music business, and how he changed that music for the better. If you don’t know Bo Diddley, then you need to step in and get to know Diddley…





It's been a while since I stepped aside and just talked about an issue or an event. Time has caught up with me and forced the issue with the passing of music legend giant Bo Didley this week. So it's with great pleasure but a sad conscious I take a break from our current feature to talk about one of the founding fathers of rock & roll. If you don't know Bo Diddley, then it's time learn something about "nothing at all"…


Tribute to Bo Diddley

"You don't know bo diddly", an old time southern African American colloquialism that translates into "You don't know ‘nothing at all'", might be ancient slang today, but it was also the nickname of a teenage Golden Gloves boxer by the name Ellas McDaniel. A nickname that would become a stage name when he would work the streets of Chicago playing the blues, eventually start his own band, cross blues into rock & roll - which helped launch the music revolution of every generation to follow, have a rhythm/beat named after him that would inspire generations of performers, and overall become a giant that created modern music culture.

"Nothin' at all"

Ellas Otha Bates was born in McComb, Mississippi on December 30, 1928. His name quickly changed to Ellas McDaniel when he assumed the surname of his aunt, whom he was actually raised by. The hardship continued as his family moved to Chicago during the Great Depression, but his love of music was encouraged with violin lessons. His focus became a guitar when he saw a performance by the legendary John Lee Hooker, and that moment of clarity would permanently change Ellas' life and music.

The "diddley bow" is also a two stringed
instrument used by southern black
musicians working the fields

Despite odd jobs as a mechanic or carpenter, he did manage to keep playing his guitar. He formed a band called the Hipsters, and by 1943 they were playing in the mighty Maxwell Street Market of Chicago as a band with none other than Earl Hooker. By 1951 he was scoring regular gigs at the 708 Club, and is was during this time that he took the stage name of "Bo Diddley". For those of you not familiar with Maxwell Street, it was featured in the original Blues Brothers movie when Jake and Elwood go to the Soul Food Café. John hooker was the one performing live outside.

It all came together in 1954, when he entered the immortal Chess Studios with Roosevelt Jackson (bass), Clifton James (Drums), and Billy Arnold (Harmonica) and recorded "Bo Diddley" and "I'm A Man". This little single release hit the streets in March of 1955, and the song named after the man would hop to the number one spot for R&B. Chess records was doing well with it's R&B artists, but it wanted to break into the growing teen market. Getting to know Bo (as well as another man named Chuck Berry!) turned that trick real well.

And what was the secret of "Bo Diddley". Well, it was ultimately the secret of Bo Diddley himself and what would become the "Bo Diddley Beat". This was a type of rhythm Bo made famous that was very similar to an old time street performers beat known as ‘hambone'. Think of the old Looney-Tunes "Shave-And-A-Hair-Cut" rhythm and tap it out. There you have it the style of beat.

If that sounds simple, well that's because it is. But simple does work, when it's done right and someone with the touch. Another example of this theory at work is the fact some of Bo's best songs, like "Who Do You Love" and the aforementioned "Bo Diddley" have no chord changes. Note that I did NOT say key changes, or time changes, or all those other little musical qualities we think of regarding the means of how to play music. There was no chord changes. One chord – The whole song. That means the rhythm had to carry the song, create the excitement, and hook you in. From back beats to the "Bo Beat", that is what the man did. Here is an example:




"Bo Diddley"






And before I go on, I mentioned the song "Who do You Love". Yes, that is the same song better known today by George Thorogood & The Destroyers. If you think of it, you can hear the simple rhythm pattern and how it sticks out. That main line – It's the rhythm and one chord, and catchy as hell. Well Bo Diddley did it first, and George wasn't the first or last to cover this song. You can also add The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Band, The Blues Project, The Doors, Golden Earring, Juicy Lucy, King Earl Boogie Band, The Meteors, The Misunderstood, Patti Smith, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Ronnie Hawkins, Tom Rush, Townes Van Zandt, UFO, The Woolies and Cross Canadian Ragweed to that list.

I hope those of you who are not familiar with Bo Diddley, or even this classic era of music is starting to get the vision of the times. Simple, classical old school blues was transferred into a new electric medium. Sure, you watch that video, and you can see the somewhat dated feel (although the hippies don't help – But god bless the mini-skirt!) but underneath is what links music before rock & roll, and what would become rock & roll. The old world and the exciting promise of a new world; blues on the front porch and the sizzle of TV cameras; the old Chicago Maxwell Street market and the bright lights of arenas - Rock & Roll didn't spring into existence with Elvis' hips, like Athena from the head of Zeus (now there is an image), but like all things it was an evolution. At some point, someone connected the dots, or played the notes as it were, and took it to the next level.

Simply put, Bo Diddley was one a few men who took the blues and bridged it to Rock & Roll. There are a few giants amongst the legends, whom did the right things at the right time in the 50's, who we owe a debt of gratitude to. Without them, Rock & Roll, and the shape of music today would not be the same without them. Bo Diddley is one of those men.

"Nothing at all"

When listening to that video clip, you'll also know another trick Bo used on some of his songs. He would take old-time folk themes and adapt them into a more "hip" style. "Bo Diddley" the song borrows from the old lullaby "Hush Little Baby". He also employed this trick on "Who Do You Love" (Old folk tradition known as "Toasts and Boasts" combined with voodoo), and "Hey Bo Diddley" (Old McDonald).

Take a hard look at the lyrics and patterns for "Who do you love". Don't tell me he didn't lay the ground work for the future of rap in there as well!

Another fascinating characteristic of Bo was his guitar. A self fashioned, rectangular bodied Gretsch called "The Twang Machine". As his popularity grew, manufacturers actually made him similar custome made guitars, but "The Twang Machine" would become a staple he used for almost 50 years (!) and thousands of concerts. Story goes, he designed it to allow him to move around stage better and "jump around". His guitar sound is a key part of the "Bo Sound". By fusing the blues with rock, and working the magic of his rhythm he inserted a more dynamic tone into the music. More guitar. You could say he was the hard rock dude of his time, in his style and tone.

On November 20, 1955, he did something that many great artists would do later on – He Pissed off Ed Sullivan. During a scheduled appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show he played "Bo diddley" instead of the song the producers wanted (a cover of another blues artist). Evidently, Ed Sullivan said he was the first man to double cross him and Bo wouldn't last 6 months in the business. He was banned from further bookings on the show. Ironic, since even Elvis eventually got back on after his "stunt". I'm starting to think that pissing of Ed Sullivan was an early right of passage for up and coming rock stars…

The hits started to roll in. "Pretty Thing", "You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover" were a few, and in total Checker released 11 records (full length) in five years. Thanks to the efforts of Alan Freed who booked him into early rock concerts, he broke out as a cross-over artist whose blues inspired compositions walked the line of old school blues and the new medium of rock. Interesting, if you listen to Bo Diddley and say, Little Richard, you can tell Little Richard was full blown Rock and Roll while Bo still kept the air of the blues and with him. Bo was successful, but not as big a hit with early teenagers because of that. But he was a hit, and he was influencing people like he himself once was influenced by John Lee Hooker.

And the influences were growing around him. Bo, with the Little Richard and the Everly Brothers would tour the UK in the early 60's with an opening band called the Rolling Stones. Several decades later, they would repay the honor by making him a guest on one of their world tours. Influences and admirers would come from many corners. He toured with The Clash in 79, and even performed with played with the Grateful Dead. There is more, much more where that came from:





Tom Petty and Bo Diddley Live – "Mona"





Bo Diddley also has the honor for being one of the first male musicians to included women in his band. This includes Peggy Jones (Lady Bo, b. 1940), Norma-Jean Wofford (The Duchess, c. 1942-2005), and Cornelia Redmond (Cookie). Lady Bo was the most popular and had two stints with his band. Evidently, having a fine lady about didn't dawn on anyone before Bo.

Nothing at all…

In the later years, his roll and one of rock and roll's founding fathers gained recognition and the accolades started to roll in:

*Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
*Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation(1996)
*"Bo Diddley" inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as "A recording of lasting qualitative or historical significance." (1997)
*Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998
*Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame (2000)
*North Florida Music Association's Hall of Fame (2000) [No – I have no idea about this one…]
*Pioneer in Entertainment Award from the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Broadcast *Music Incorporated (BMI) Icon Award

Further recognitions:

*Congress paid tribute in 2003, calling him "one of the true pioneers of rock and roll, who has influenced generations". I don't know why they would be doing this, but at least they were right about something for a change.

*In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #20 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

*In 2005, Bo Diddley celebrated his 50 years in the biz by having a world tour. At the age of 76!!!

*Uncut magazine has included his debut album "Bo Diddley" in their list of "100 Music, Movie & TV Moments That Have Changed The World".


Sadly, in May of last year, Bo Diddley had a stroke and was admitted to intensive care. This was after a concert no less (77 and still going strong!). The stroke would cause dysphasia and would eventually cause a stroke in August of the same year. While recovering from the stroke and the heart attack, he received a final honor in November of last year in his original hometown of McComb. The town dedicated a plaque in his honor on the National Blues Trail for his roll in the founding of rock & roll. He was not scheduled to perform, but the local musician walked up and handed him the mic. He later said Bo "got that look" like he wanted to go at it. This was Bo Diddley's last performance.

On June 2, 2008 at the age of 79, Bo Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida. 35 family members were with Bo at his home when he died at about 1:45 a.m. EDT. According to a relative, "There was a gospel song that was sung and he said 'wow' with a thumbs up… The song was 'Walk Around Heaven' and in his last words he said that he was going to heaven." He then passed away.




Encore

Simple rhythms, Chicago and the Deep South traditions of the blues, nursery rhymes gone hip, and a single chord that would excite and motivate more than most people could do with all six strings.

It really was nothing…

But in the end it became everything.

I'm not sure I would be here writing this column without Bo Diddley. Sure, this column is a metal/hard rock mesh of old school and new heavy music, but it all started with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. And who where their Idols? Old school rock. The blues. The founding fathers of Rock who put it all together – Men like Bo Diddley who made the guitar such a prominent part of that sound.

So thank you Bo. Thank you for everything.

RIP




Final Thoughts

So what did we learn today?

We learned that you do indeed know Bo Diddley. Now go do the man justice and rock on!