Bo Diddley, Rock's Pulse

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Bo Diddley: 1928 - 2008

Rock-and-roll pioneer Bo Diddley died Monday after months of sickness, at the age of 79. His "Bo Diddley beat" is one of the most distinctive and recognizable rhythms in the rock canon and has been used in countless songs over the past 50 years.

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And he had a distinctive look: thick-rimmed glasses; black Stetson; rectangular guitar, forever slung low.

But Diddley's signature was the syncopated rhythm with Afro-Cuban roots and its own American history as the "hambone" and "shave-and-a-haircut/two bits" beats.

"Heyyyyy, Bo Diddley."

Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.

"He will forever be known for popularizing one of the foundational rhythms of rock-and-roll," according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which enshrined Diddley in 1987.

"The most plagiarized rhythm of the 20th century," Rolling Stone magazine called it.

Buddy Holly used the Bo Diddley beat on 1957's "Not Fade Away," which became a breakthrough hit for the Rolling Stones when they covered it seven years later.

Elvis Presley borrowed the beat for "His Latest Flame." The Who rode the rhythm in "Magic Bus," Bruce Springsteen in "She's the One," U2 in "Desire."

"Faith" by George Michael, "I Want Candy" by the Strangeloves, "1969" by the Stooges, "Willie and the Hand Jive" by Johnny Otis -- all propelled by variations of the Bo Diddley beat.

Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.

Even others went straight to the source: the Woolies and George Thorogood both had hits with Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" and additional Diddley compositions were covered by the Doors, Aerosmith and the Yardbirds, along with the Stones, who had a history with Diddley.

Before they became one of the world's biggest rock bands, the Stones opened for Diddley on a 1963 United Kingdom tour with the Everly Brothers. "Watching Bo Diddley was university for me," Keith Richards recently told Rolling Stone. Jagger said yesterday that Diddley "was very generous to us in our early years and we learned a lot from him."

A decade ago, Diddley received a lifetime achievement Grammy from the Recording Academy.

In a statement yesterday, Academy chief Neil Portnow hailed Diddley as one of rock-and-roll's "true pioneers" who "leaves an indelible mark on American music and culture."

He added: "The Bo Diddley beat surely will continue on."

Bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp. Bomp-bomp.