Diddley Beat
Bo Diddley born Ellas Otha Bates but changed as a child to Ellas McDaniel, was an American R&B and Chicago Blues vocalist and guitarist. In addition, he was a songwriter and music producer, usually as Ellas McDaniel, and had cameo appearances in movies. He was nicknamed The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll, and rock, and influenced a host of acts, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Parliament Funkadelic.
He instigated a constant driving rhythm and biting electric guitar sound which he applied to a wide range of songs. His use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent clave rhythm, is a cornerstone of hip hop, rock, and pop. In recognition of his achievements Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is also recognized for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.
My interaction with Bo Diddley: I had made this image during one of Bo Diddley's shows at Harper's Ferry (Allston MA music club) and knew right away that I wanted him to autograph it. Prior to that it had been suggested to me that I always bring a second copy when asking for an autograph, should the artist want a copy. I didn;'t and soon learned the hard way, at the hand of Mr. Diddley. I asked folr an autograph and he agreed, asking to look at the image. He said he liked it, and then asked for his copy. I didn't have one and told him so. He told me that he wouldn't sign mine unless I gave him one. As I didn't have one for him, I retreated to my place in the audience. After thinking about it for a bit I decided to offer my image to him, and to (hopefully) catch him next tiI was going to pester him for a signature. Instead I offered the image to him. He seemed genuinely touched by the gesture, asking: "Really, you're going to give it to me? What about your autograph?" Next time I told him. He told his road manager to get a piece of paper, and he wrote down his mailing address, and told me to mail him one and that he'd sign it and send it back. I mailed one to him, and he send it back. Autographed!
This all happened in the 1994, when I was still asking for autographs on images enlarged to 8" X 12". When I changed formats and started asking for autographs on my newer format, 11" X 14", I approached him again, with the same image in the new format. He seemed to remember me as I approached, and stuck out his hand. (If you knew how big a fan I am of his music you'd know that I was moderately freaking out by his warmth). As I slid the image out of the envelope a smile came across his face and he told me: "I have a copy of that at my house!". Her signed the image, gave me a generous hug and said: "I hope to see you again soon, my friend."
He instigated a constant driving rhythm and biting electric guitar sound which he applied to a wide range of songs. His use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent clave rhythm, is a cornerstone of hip hop, rock, and pop. In recognition of his achievements Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is also recognized for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.
My interaction with Bo Diddley: I had made this image during one of Bo Diddley's shows at Harper's Ferry (Allston MA music club) and knew right away that I wanted him to autograph it. Prior to that it had been suggested to me that I always bring a second copy when asking for an autograph, should the artist want a copy. I didn;'t and soon learned the hard way, at the hand of Mr. Diddley. I asked folr an autograph and he agreed, asking to look at the image. He said he liked it, and then asked for his copy. I didn't have one and told him so. He told me that he wouldn't sign mine unless I gave him one. As I didn't have one for him, I retreated to my place in the audience. After thinking about it for a bit I decided to offer my image to him, and to (hopefully) catch him next tiI was going to pester him for a signature. Instead I offered the image to him. He seemed genuinely touched by the gesture, asking: "Really, you're going to give it to me? What about your autograph?" Next time I told him. He told his road manager to get a piece of paper, and he wrote down his mailing address, and told me to mail him one and that he'd sign it and send it back. I mailed one to him, and he send it back. Autographed!
This all happened in the 1994, when I was still asking for autographs on images enlarged to 8" X 12". When I changed formats and started asking for autographs on my newer format, 11" X 14", I approached him again, with the same image in the new format. He seemed to remember me as I approached, and stuck out his hand. (If you knew how big a fan I am of his music you'd know that I was moderately freaking out by his warmth). As I slid the image out of the envelope a smile came across his face and he told me: "I have a copy of that at my house!". Her signed the image, gave me a generous hug and said: "I hope to see you again soon, my friend."