Bo Diddley - The Chess Box

Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter (usually as Ellas McDaniel), and rock and roll pioneer. He was also known as The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock, influencing a host of acts, including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and George Michael, among others.  He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple, five-accent rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop.  Accordingly, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He was known in particular for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.

_________________________________________________________

Not every single track you'll ever want or need by the legendary shave-and-a-haircut rhythm R&B/rock pioneer, but a great place to begin. Two discs (45 songs) in a great big box with a nice accompanying booklet contain the groundbreaking introduction "Bo Diddley" (never again would he be referred to as Ellas McDaniel), its swaggering flipside "I'm a Man," the killer follow-ups "Diddley Daddy," "I'm Looking for a Woman," "Who Do You Love?," and "Hey Bo Diddley;" signifying street-corner humor ("Say Man"), piledriving rockers ("Road Runner," "She's Alright," "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover"), and numerous stunning examples of his daringly innovative guitar style.  - Bill Dahl/AMG

Bo Diddley (vocals, guitar, violin); Jerome Green (vocals, maracas); Jody Williams (guitar);

Eddie Drennon (violone); Little Willie Smith, Lester Davenport, Billy Boy Arnold (harmonica);

Henry Gray, Lafayette Leake, Otis Spann (piano); Clifton James, Frank Kirkland (drums);

Cornelia Redmond (maracas, tambourine);

The Carnations, The Flamingos , The Moonglows (background vocals).

Recording Information:

Bo Diddley's Washington, D.C. Home (03/02/1955-12/??/1968);

Chicago, IL (03/02/1955-12/??/1968);

Cleveland, OH (03/02/1955-12/??/1968);

New York, NY (03/02/1955-12/??/1968).