Often called “The Originator”, Bo Diddley has influenced everyone from Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, to The Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and The Yardbirds. It is suffice to say that his influence is everywhere. Bo Diddley had a signature beat which was based on African Clave rhythm, which is now viewed as a cornerstone of Rock and Roll music everywhere. Bo Diddley had a classically trained background in music, but became interested in the guitar at an early age. He would mix styles such as R&B, Blues, and African and church music blending the styles into his own unique sound. He once said that he played the guitar like he was playing the drums. He had this to say of his first single in 1955:
“I made 'Bo Diddley' in '55, they started playing it, and everybody freaked out. Caucasian kids threw Beethoven into the garbage can.”
And that couldn’t be anymore true, once he put out his first release in 1955, it made people rethink music, which as a result went on to influence some of the most influential artists of the 20th century in music. Bo Diddley was also known for his own specific type of guitar that was once called a “cigar box shaped” guitar by Dick Clark. This square shaped guitar was nick named “The Twang Machine” by Bo Diddley and was originally made by “The Originator” himself in 1958 so that he could jump around on stage more when playing live. In addition to these things, Bo Diddley was also recognized for his unique abilities as lyricist. Bo Diddley went on to release 24 full length studio albums, not counting singles and compilation albums. His influence is everywhere and his music is still relevant and influential today.
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For the next few week’s I will be filling in for the time slot prior to mine from 9 AM – 10:30 AM on CJAM 99.1 FM. Each of these shows will focus on Roots Rock oriented genres. This week the first hour and a half of music was devoted to Bo Diddley’s music and influence. He has a wealth of material and the show focused on his own material, covers done by other artists and some obscure Bo Diddley songs. The second half of the show was my usual mix of music you would find on Revolution Rock, playing several artists including two rare recordings from the MC5's Purity Accuracy boxed set.
Part One:
Revolution Diddley Play List:
1. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (single - 1955)
2. Bo Diddley - Bring It To Jerome (Bo Diddley - 1958)
3. Bo Diddley - The Great Grandfather (Go Bo Diddley - 1959)
4. The Juvenilles - Bo Diddley (History of Northwest Rock Vol. 4 Battle of the Bands - 2009)
5. The Ugly Ducklings - Hey Mamma Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (Somewhere Outside - 1967)
6. The Gruesomes - I Can Tell (Gruesomania - 1987)
7. Captain Beefheart - Diddy Wah Diddy (single - 1965)
8. The Clash - You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover (Golden Bullets Bootleg - 2001)
9. Bo Diddley - Surf, Sink or Swim (Surfin' With Bo Diddley - 1963)
10. Bo Diddley - Aztec (Bo Diddley Is A Lover - 1961)
11. Super Blues (Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Muddy Waters) - You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care) (Super Blues - 1967)
12. Bo Diddley - Rock & Roll (Rare and Well Done - 1991)
13. Bo Diddley - Bo Meets The Monster (single - 1958)
14. Light Bulb Alley - Who Do You Love? (The Sound of Things - 2011)
15. King Khan & The Shrines - Crackin' Up (The Supreme Genius of - 2008)
16. Ronnie Hawkins - Who Do You Love (The Roulette Years - 1995)
17. The Pack A.D. - Blackout (Funeral Mixtape - 2008)
18. Jesus & Mary Chain - Bo Diddley is Jesus (Barbed Wire Kisses - 1988)
19. Bo Diddley - Pills (single - 1961)
20. New York Dolls - Pills (New York Dolls - 1973)
21. The Rolling Stones – Please Go Home (Between The Buttons - 1967)
22. Bo Diddley - Gunslinger (Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger - 1960)
Download part one (Revolution Diddley) here.
Part Two:
Revolution Rock Play List:
1. The Seeds – Try To Understand
2. The Epics – Humpty Dumpty
3. Actual Water – Ivory & Oak
4. Gold Country – Carried Away And The Wind
5. Chad Vangaalen – Molten Light
6. J Mascis – Not Enough
7. Robin Tyner & The Hotrods – Till the Night Is Gone
8. Ultravox! – ROckWrok
9. The Terminal Sunglasses – Antenna Dilemma
10. The Catch – Competition
11. Chang-A-Lang – Vigilante Man
12. The Forgotten Rebels – Me Generation
13. X – Sugarlight
14. Joy Division – Disorder
15. Vic Goddard & The Subway Sect – Johnny Thunders
16. Fergus & Geronimo – Spies
17. The Howlies – Walk On Home
18. Raised By Weeds – Trip To The Ocean
19. Deja Voodoo – Bo Diddley's Cat
19. Deja Voodoo - My Girlfriend
20. The Fall – Mr. Pharmacist
21. The Hives – Find Yourself Another Girl
22. MC5 – One Of The Guys
23. MC5 – Sister Ann (W Sonic On Guide Vocals)
Download part two (Revolution Rock) here.
Subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.
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