Another one gone & this one’s big. Like certain other doyens, Bo Diddley peaked early, coasting through much the last four decades on the crowning acheivements of his Chess catalog. That kind of laurel-resting, while unfortunate, is more than warranted given his indispensible influence on music. Cigar box guitar and maracas made for a magical combination on dozens of Fifties and early Sixties sides that prove the Bo Diddley beat ain’t no joke. It’s a force of nature. One I fully intend to revisit once I get home tonight. Feel free to beat me to the punch by posting some remembrances and insights on the man here.
Posted by derek on June 2, 2008 9:52 AMMy first thought is not much more profound than "Bo Diddley's music is my favorite rock 'n' roll." One noteworthy thing, besides that deep deeeeeep beat and gut-punch guitar (he made it talk, but without the logorrheic overblown overflow of other guitar gods), was Bo's expansive and liberated sense of humor, especially on the subject of masculinity. He made it cool to poke fun at one's own testosterone-fueled ego, and the only worthy successor to that stance I can think of is George Clinton.
Posted by: djll at June 2, 2008 10:37 PMGood tribute article in the Independent:
Posted by: djll at June 6, 2008 2:42 PMNice insights, Tom. Diddley's runs at "the dozens" w/ sidekick Jermome Green never fail at bringing an upward curl to my lips. Prince is another I'd include on that list of artists who've successfully/subversively urinated on the altar of mindless machismo.
Posted by: derek at June 12, 2008 2:10 PM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................