Guitarist Bo Diddley dead at 79


(CNN) -- Bo Diddley, the musical pioneer whose songs, such as "Who Do You Love?" and "Bo Diddley," melded rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll through a distinctive thumping beat, has died. He was 79.

Diddley died Monday, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Archer, Florida, a family spokeswoman said.

The cause was heart failure, his family said.

The world-renowned guitarist's signature beat -- usually played on an equally distinctive rectangular-bodied guitar -- laid the foundation for rock 'n' roll, and became so identified with him that it became known as the "Bo Diddley" beat. It was unlike anything else heard in pop music. iReport.com: Share your memories of the legend

"This distinctive, African-based 5/4 rhythm pattern (which goes bomp-bomp-bomp bomp-bomp) was picked up by other artists and has been a distinctive and recurring element in rock 'n' roll through the decades," according to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Guitarist George Thorogood, a Diddley disciple, put it more bluntly.

"[Chuck Berry's] 'Maybellene' is a country song sped up," Thorogood told Rolling Stone in 2005. " 'Johnny B. Goode' is blues sped up. But you listen to 'Bo Diddley,' and you say, 'What in the Jesus is that?' "

Guitarist Bo Diddley dead at 79 - CNN.com

R.I.P. Bo Diddley

Nothing like jammin to a Bo Diddley riff..............he'll be missed.

I was at a blues fest in Doheny beach a couple of years ago. They had about 40 bands playing over the course of the weekend. With two stages. It was a bring your own lawn chair thing. We had a good spot in front of the main stage. But they would stagger the bands one stage and then the other. We didn't want to move every time for fear of losing our great spot.

Anyway after the band on our stage had finished Bo Diddley was playing on the other stage. It wasn't visible from our area but we could hear it. I wasn't really paying much attention to the sound coming from the other stage and I got up to go get some refreshments. As I started walking toward the consessions I started listening to the guitar and it was friggin hot. I had forgotten who was playing on that stage. And it wasn't doop dodoop dodoop dodo doop. Nah it wasn't the bo Diddley song. I mean it was feed back sustain screaming hot friggin guitar. It wasn't that old fifties Bo Diddley stuff. This guy rocked seriously. Blew my mind. If there is a heaven its rockin now.

Turn It Up!!!!!!!

I just saw him on this Blues show in Chicago with all the greats on the guitar about 2 months ago. Loved his music.
Man we are getting older.

Who's we? You got a mouse in your pocket? LOL

Look grandpa you aren't that far behind.... lol
Live free and live young.