December
2003 Feature Story
Bo Diddley
12/30 (75th B-day Party w/Portland Blues Allstars) @ Crystal Ballroom,
Portland, OR, 7pm; 12/31 @ Main One Performing Arts Center, Medford, OR;
1/2/04 (Mudhoney opens) @ Showbox, Seattle, 9pm.
by Marisa Bell
Bo Diddley, “The Originator”, is a true rock ’n’
roll pioneer. For five decades his unique musical style has influenced
many performers including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Truly a
living legend, Bo Diddley is one of the first artists to be inducted into
the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Over his career, Bo has garnered
numerous awards and accolades, including: Lifetime Achievement Grammy
(1998); Grammy Song Hall of Fame; Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary
Blues Album (A Man Amongst Men, Code Blue, 1996); the R&B Foundation
Pioneer Award (1996); induction into both the Mississippi Musician’s
Hall of Fame and the North Florida Music Association’s Hall of Fame.
Hit soundtracks on which he is featured include Blues Brothers 2000, and
The Sopranos. The complete list of his awards and accomplishments is too
extensive to include!
Bo Diddley has, over the past 50 years, made an indelible mark on rhythm
and blues, rock ’n’ roll, and popular music. His innovative
trademark rhythm, his electric custom-built guitars, his use of female
musicians, his psychedelic guitar sounds, his wild stage shows, and his
on-record and on-stage rapping, pre-date all others. The extent to which
he has influenced other musicians, both black and white, is immeasurable.
Bo Diddley turns 75 on December 30, and everyone is invited to his birthday
celebration at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom. It will be an evening
chock full of jamming and dancing. Performing an opening set and also
joining Bo on stage will be the cream of the Portland blues crop: Steve
Bradley (guitar/vocals); Chris Carlson (guitar/vocals); Brian Foxworth
(drums/vocals); Jon Hughes (bass); Craig Mayther (guitar/vocals); and
Jim Mesi (guitar). Special guest vocalists will include Duffy Bishop and
Chris Mayther.
Hot New Bo Diddley News: Bo Diddley’s 1987 CD Bo Diddley / Go Bo
Diddley is included in Rolling Stone’s recently released list of
the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time at number 214. This album is a reissue
of Bo’s 1958 debut Bo Diddley (Chess) and his 1959 release Go Bo
Diddley (Checker) and includes such hits as “Bo Diddley,”
“I’m a Man,” and “Who do you Love.” (Check
out the complete list at rollingstone.com)
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