Monday February 15, 2021 “Bo Diddley” Bo Diddley
February is Black History Month so let’s spend some time with the music that was created by African American artists many of which created the foundation of what we call rock & roll.
The uninitiated will be looking at today’s song of the day title and be thinking “wait that’s a mistake”, it says Bo Diddley twice. Of course he is so important in this musical journey that Bo Diddley should be mentioned way more than just twice. Originally titled "Uncle John," this song was rejected by the owners of Chess Records because Bo Diddley’s first lyrical take was deemed "too dirty" for the white American record-buying public. In response, Bo Diddley re-wrote the lyrics and named the song after himself.
And his “Bo Diddley” beat has been borrowed by more artists than you might imagine.
Think of these as just a few of the songs that appropriated the “Bo Diddley” beat: "Not Fade Away" (Buddy Holly), "Willie and the Hand Jive" (Johnny Otis Show), "Cannonball" (Duane Eddy), "Hey Little Girl" (Dee Clark), "I Want Candy" (Strangeloves), "Bad Blood" (Neil Sedaka), "Faith" (George Michael), “She’s the One” (Bruce Springsteen) “Who Do You Love” (George Thorogood) “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” (Jet) “Panic in Detroit” (David Bowie) and there are hundreds more.
Am Guessing that Mr. Diddley never saw royalties from any of those songs.
Here’s a true musical innovator and founder of what would become rock & roll to start off our musical Black History Weeks.
Stay safe and well...and bomp be bomp be bomp bop bomp.