Post by Rhonda on Jun 4, 2008 2:01:38 GMT -5
Rock 'n' roll legend Bo Diddley dies in Florida
By Jim Loney,
Reuters
Posted: 2008-06-02 15:31:16
MIAMI (Reuters) - Rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley, who banged out hit songs
powered by the relentless "Bo Diddley beat," influencing rockers from Buddy Holly to U2,
died Monday at the age of 79.
Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida, his management agency,
Talent Consultants International, said in a statement.
"One of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll has left the building he helped construct,"
the statement said.
Diddley suffered a stroke during a concert in Iowa in May 2007
and was hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska.
In August 2007 he had a heart attack in Florida.
In a career spanning more than five decades, Diddley composed a substantial body of rock classics, including "Who Do You Love," "Bo Diddley," "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger," "Before You Accuse Me," "Mona," "I'm a Man" and "Pretty Thing."
Although Diddley recorded relatively few chart-topping hits, his seminal role in the formative years
of rock music was recognized by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987
and with a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 1998.
By Jim Loney,
Reuters
Posted: 2008-06-02 15:31:16
MIAMI (Reuters) - Rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley, who banged out hit songs
powered by the relentless "Bo Diddley beat," influencing rockers from Buddy Holly to U2,
died Monday at the age of 79.
Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida, his management agency,
Talent Consultants International, said in a statement.
"One of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll has left the building he helped construct,"
the statement said.
Diddley suffered a stroke during a concert in Iowa in May 2007
and was hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska.
In August 2007 he had a heart attack in Florida.
In a career spanning more than five decades, Diddley composed a substantial body of rock classics, including "Who Do You Love," "Bo Diddley," "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger," "Before You Accuse Me," "Mona," "I'm a Man" and "Pretty Thing."
Although Diddley recorded relatively few chart-topping hits, his seminal role in the formative years
of rock music was recognized by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987
and with a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 1998.