Bo Diddley

Ellas Otha Bates, known as Bo Diddley, was one of the architects of rock and roll, famous for the 'Bo Diddley beat': a syncopated, hambone-derived rhythm pattern that became one of the most recognizable and imitated rhythmic figures in popular music. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he recorded for Chess Records beginning in 1955, and his self-titled debut single established both the beat and his flamboyant persona, which included custom-built rectangular guitars and outrageous stage costumes. His recordings 'Bo Diddley,' 'Who Do You Love,' 'I'm a Man,' and 'Mona' were foundational to rock and roll and directly influenced the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Buddy Holly, and the Clash. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.