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There’s no question that Jimi Hendrix is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) influences on Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music. Before Nirvana, Metallica, or even Black Sabbath could appear and start to change and shape music, Jimi Hendrix had already laid the groundwork.

But even before Jimi, there were the great blues musicians who paved the way for the beginnings of rock and roll; one of the greats, and a man who was key in the transition from blues to rock and roll, was Bo Diddley. He is one of the most influential guitarists and songwriters of our time and his signature rock and roll beat influenced Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones, U2 and everyone in between. I’d even argue that Elvis copied Bo Diddley - I’d even argue that Elvis totally ripped off Bo Diddley.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, given a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1998 and his love of performing never went away; unbelievably the ONLY thing that could stop him from performing while still in his late 70’s was when he fell ill last year after suffering a stroke on stage.

One of the greatest musicians of our time, Bo Diddley passed at the age of 79 last week.

YouTube: Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love

Photograph Courtesy Getty Images

Posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm by Matt Wells and is filed under Celebrities & Pop Culture.

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