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BO DIDDLEY

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Bo Diddley (December 30 1928 – June 2 2008, born Ellas Otha Bates), was an original and influential United States|American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was known as The Originator because of his key role in the transition from blues to rock and roll. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs. He was also known for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.

Early life and career
Born in McComb, Mississippi|McComb, Mississippi, USA as Ellas Otha Bates,<ref>Some sources give his name as Otha Ellas Bates</ref> he was adoption|adopted and raised by his mother's cousin, Gussie McDaniel, whose surname he assumed, becoming Ellas McDaniel. The family moved to Chicago when he was seven.<ref name=rockhall>[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/bo-diddley Bo Diddley]</ref> He took violin lessons as a youth, but was inspired to become a guitarist after seeing John Lee Hooker.

He worked as a carpenter and mechanic, but also began a musical career busking|playing on street corners with friends, including Jerome Green (c. 1934â€“1973),<ref>http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/jerome.html Jerome Green</ref> as a band called the Hipsters (later the Langley Avenue Jive Cats). During the summer of 1943â... read all