Touring Schedule

Biography

Born Ellas Otha Bates McDaniels in McComb, Mississippi on December 28, 1928, blues legend Bo Diddley is considered one of the most influential and innovative guitarists in rock and roll history. After a brief stint as a pugilist, he began jamming in the clubs in Chicago in the mid-50s. He found his first hit in the ditty "Bo Diddley" in 1955, recorded at Chess studios with Otis Spann and Lester Davenport. Over the next few years, Diddley made a name for himself with his custom-designed rectangular-shaped guitar, his distorted sound, his solid-rock rhythm style, and his self-referential songs, including "Bo's a Lumberjack" and "Diddley Daddy."

Throughout the sixties, Diddley's work was covered by many UK artists, such as the Rolling Stones, the Kinds, Manfred Mann and the Animals. US artists followed suit, as the Doors and Bob Seger put their own spin on Diddley's now classic "Who Do You Love." While Diddley did not enjoy the success of Chess Records rival Chuck Berry, he built a lasting legacy that still resonates to this day.

Diddley's career slowed down in the '70s; he released a few unremarkable records, including The Black Gladiator and Where It All Begins. However, he remained on the radar with a tour with the Clash in 1983 and a cameo appearance in the Eddie Murphy classic Trading Places. In 1996, Diddley hooked up with Code Blue Records and a host of famous musicians, including Keith Richards, Jimmy Vaughan, Richie Sambora and the Shirelles for A Man Amongst Men. Today, Diddley can most often be found performing around the country.