Various
Bo Diddley Blew My Mind
Born in McComb Mississippi at the end of 1928, Ellas Otha Bates could never have foreseen the influence his music would have on future generations. Bo Diddley, as he become known, recorded for the Chess label from the mid '50s and cooked up a distinct signature rhythm of African-style beats, often laced with maracas. This, combined with his snappy dress sense and a penchant for unusually shaped guitars proved a winning combination, achieving sufficient success to see him tour well into old age. Now, a decade after his death, Bo Diddley's legacy can still be heard in many recordings. Genres including R&B, Rockabilly, Blues and even Hip Hop still regularly dip into the Bo Diddley rhythm pool and borrow heavily from his enduring beat.