# Bo Diddley

> American guitarist (1928–2008)

**Wikidata**: [Q208881](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208881)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Diddley)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bo-diddley

## Summary
Bo Diddley was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who lived from 1928 to 2008 and is widely recognized as a foundational figure in rock and roll and blues music. Born Ellas Otha Bates and later known as Ellas McDaniel, he was a composer and singer-songwriter famous for creating the distinctive "Bo Diddley beat" and his self-titled original song. His career spanned from 1943 to 2007, during which he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 30, 1928 (Ellas Otha Bates)
- **Nationality**: United States (Citizenship: Q30)
- **Education**: Honorary doctorate of the University of Florida
- **Known for**: Creating the "Bo Diddley beat," pioneering rock and roll and blues, and composing the original song "Bo Diddley"
- **Employer(s)**: Checker (record label, a subsidiary of Chess Records)
- **Field(s)**: Guitarist, singer, singer-songwriter, composer, boxer, rock and roll, blues, rapping

## Contributions
- **Original Song "Bo Diddley"**: Composed and performed the iconic track "Bo Diddley," which became a standard in rock and roll and blues genres.
- **The "Bo Diddley Beat"**: Developed a distinctive rhythmic pattern that influenced the development of rock and roll, blues, and later rapping.
- **Musical Career**: Active as a professional musician from 1943 to 2007, releasing numerous works under the Checker label.
- **Genre Influence**: His work bridged blues and rock and roll, with stylistic elements that prefigured rapping and modern rhythmic vocal delivery.
- **Publications and Recordings**: Produced a body of work associated with the Checker record label, established in 1952.

## FAQs
**What was Bo Diddley's real name?**
Bo Diddley was born Ellas Otha Bates and later adopted the name Ellas McDaniel. He is also known by the nickname "The Originator."

**Which record label did Bo Diddley record with?**
He recorded primarily for Checker, a United States record label that served as a subsidiary of Chess Records.

**What awards did Bo Diddley receive during his lifetime?**
He was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and named to the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

**What genres of music was Bo Diddley associated with?**
His work is central to rock and roll and blues, and his rhythmic innovations also influenced the development of rapping.

**When was Bo Diddley active as a professional musician?**
His professional work period began in 1943 and concluded in 2007, spanning over six decades.

## Why They Matter
Bo Diddley fundamentally altered the landscape of American popular music by introducing a rhythmic complexity that became a cornerstone of rock and roll. Without his "Bo Diddley beat," the evolution of rhythm and blues into rock would have lacked a critical driving force, and the rhythmic foundations of later genres like rapping might have developed differently. His influence extends beyond his own recordings; as a composer and singer-songwriter, he provided a template for future generations of musicians to experiment with syncopation and percussive guitar playing. His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and receipt of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award cement his status as a pivotal figure whose work defined the sound of an era and inspired countless artists across multiple genres.

## Notable For
- **The Originator**: Recognized by the nickname "The Originator" for his pioneering role in music.
- **Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award**: Received this prestigious honor for his contributions to music.
- **Rock and Roll Hall of Fame**: Inducted as a key figure in the history of rock music.
- **Florida Artists Hall of Fame**: Honored for his cultural impact on the state of Florida.
- **Honorary Doctorate**: Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Florida.
- **Distinctive Rhythm**: Created the "Bo Diddley beat," a unique rhythmic pattern used in countless songs.
- **Self-Titled Hit**: Composed and performed the original song "Bo Diddley," a genre-defining track.
- **Long Career**: Maintained a professional music career for 64 years (1943–2007).
- **Multi-Instrumentalist Roles**: Worked as a guitarist, singer, composer, and singer-songwriter.
- **Boxing Background**: Also participated in boxing competitions as a sportsperson.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Bo Diddley was born on December 30, 1928, under the name Ellas Otha Bates. He later became known as Ellas McDaniel. He was a citizen of the United States, a country located primarily in North America. His life spanned from 1928 until his death on June 2, 2008. He was a human member of the species *Homo sapiens*.

### Musical Career and Roles
Diddley was a multifaceted musician who served as a guitarist, singer, singer-songwriter, and composer. He was also a boxer, participating in boxing competitions. His professional work period started in 1943 and ended in 2007. He is categorized under the genres of rock and roll, blues, and rapping. His work as a singer-songwriter involved writing, composing, and singing his own songs. As a composer, he authored music in various forms.

### Recordings and Affiliations
He was associated with the Checker record label, which was a subsidiary of Chess Records and founded in 1952 in the United States. His most famous composition is the original song "Bo Diddley," which bears his name. This song is a sitelink count of 7, indicating its recognition in knowledge bases. His musical output contributed significantly to the sitelink count of 44 for his Wikipedia entry.

### Awards and Recognition
Bo Diddley received significant recognition for his contributions to music. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor given to individual performers or groups since 1962. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a music museum located in Cleveland, Ohio, which was established in 1983. Additionally, he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Florida.

### Legacy and Influence
His influence is evident in the sitelink counts for the genres he helped shape: rock and roll (103), blues (133), and rapping (105). His nickname, "The Originator," reflects his foundational role in these genres. The "Bo Diddley beat" remains a rhythmic standard in music history. His work period of 64 years demonstrates a long-lasting impact on the music industry. He is remembered as a key figure in the development of American popular music, bridging the gap between blues and rock and roll.

### Personal Identifiers and Data
Bo Diddley is identified by numerous unique identifiers across various databases. His Wikidata ID is Q177220. He has ISNI identifiers 0000000108146598 and 0000000108153042. His VIAF ID is 60145970004732250468. His GND ID is 119164752. He has a Library of Congress Control Number of no91015859. His IMDb ID is nm0225775. His MusicBrainz artist ID is bf659d74-0b61-488c-8a7d-594f43bed9e0. His AllMusic ID is mn0000055128. His Discogs ID is 52525175. He has a Twitter handle @therealbodiddley and a Facebook page BoDiddleyOfficial. His website was http://www.bodiddley.com. He is associated with the sitelink count of 423 for the United States, reflecting his strong national identity.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/diddley-bo-1928-2008/)
2. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
3. BnF authorities
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
6. BlackPast.org
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Discogs
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Internet Broadway Database
14. Find a Grave
15. Proleksis Encyclopedia
16. [Source](http://www.today.com/id/24933262)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb138932708)
19. CONOR.SI
20. BBC Things
21. [Source](http://iswcnet.cisac.org/)
22. ISWC Network
23. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Bo_Diddley-PDJG)
24. The Movie Database