"I Wanted To Do My Thing...I Didn't Want To Do Something I Heard Somebody Else Do..."

1970

Checker Records release his LP "The Black Gladiator". He performs at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco with artists including rock group Crow, Lightnin' Hopkins, the Steve Miller Band and the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble. He performs at the Portland Music & Art Fair in Portland, Oregon with artists including Big Brother & The Holding Company, Albert Collins, Delaney & Bonnie, Flying Burrito Brothers, BB King, Little Richard, Love, Country Joe McDonald and Ravi Shankar. His song "Who Do You Love" is a UK Top 20 hit for the group Juicy Lucy. Jimi Hendrix records a version of his song "I'm A Man". Creedence Clearwater Revival record his song "Before You Accuse Me". A live version of his song "Who Do You Love" is included on The Doors' double LP "Absolutely Live". Guess Who's song "American Woman", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, is a US #1 hit. His recording of his song "Say Man" is included on the "Cruisin' 1959: A History of Rock & Roll Radio" LP series released by Increase Records. His song "Mona" forms the centerpiece of English counter-culture musician and writer Mick Farren's debut solo album "Mona (The Carnivorous Circus)". British rock band UFO include their version of his song "Who Do You Love" on their debut album. Under the pseudonym Liquorice John Death & The Rock & Roll All-Stars, the UK rock group Procol Harum record an unreleased version of his song "Cadillac". The band Ten Years After perform his song "Down Home Special" (retitled "I'm Going Home") in the documentary movie "Woodstock". Quicksilver Messenger Service's recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Captain Milkshake". Quicksilver Messenger Service perform a live version of his song "Mona" on the National Educational Television (NET) "Go Ride The Music" TV show celebrating the San Francisco music scene.

1971

He moves to Los Lunas, New Mexico and becomes Deputy Sheriff of the town. Chess Records release his LP "Another Dimension". He performs at Richard Nader's "1950s Rock & Roll Revival" concert at New York's Madison Square Garden with artists including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bobby Rydell and Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band; Rick Nelson's experience at the show later inspires the hit song "Garden Party". Sir Paul McCartney & Wings include their version of his song "Love Is Strange" on their "Wild Life" LP. In San Francisco, Quicksilver Messenger Service perform live versions of his songs "Mona", "Road Runner" and "Who Do You Love" during their closing week concert at the Fillmore West music venue. The popular Jamaican reggae star Noel "Bunny" Brown records a version of his and Billy Stewart's classic soul song "Fat Boy". Inspired by meeting and playing with BO DIDDLEY at his home recording studio in Washington, DC a decade before, the soul/blues guitarist Charles "Skip" Pitts adds the distinctive wah-wah guitar to the Isaac Hayes hit track "Theme From Shaft".

1972

Chess Records release his LP "Where It All Began" and his 2 LP retrospective set "Got My Own Bag of Tricks". "Let The Good Times Roll" and "The London Rock'n'Roll Festival" movies, both featuring BO DIDDLEY, are filmed. He appears at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He makes a special guest appearance with the Grateful Dead at the Academy of Music in New York. The Shadows of Knight's recording of his song "Oh Yeah" is included on the influential "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968" double album of garage rock bands released by Elektra Records. Bob Seger pays homage by recording a medley of his songs "Bo Diddley" and "Who Do You Love" as the opening track on his "Smokin' OP's" LP; he later records the medley live in concert in Detroit, Michigan with his Silver Bullet Band for release on their best-selling "Live Bullet" double album. Inspired by artists including BO DIDDLEY and Howlin' Wolf, songwriter and performer T Bone Burnett makes his recording debut. The group Elephant's Memory record "Chuck & Bo", a tribute song to Chuck Berry and BO DIDDLEY produced by John Lennon & Yoko Ono. His recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is included on the "Cruisin' 1955: A History of Rock & Roll Radio" LP series released by Increase Records. He is included in the Hitmakers of Hollywood company's "Rock & Pop" series of collector's cards. "The Jean Genie", which utilises the Yardbirds' guitar riff from their 1965 hit recording of his song "I'm A Man", is a UK Top 5 hit for David Bowie. He performs at the Gatlin Creek Music Festival near Dripping Springs, Texas with artists including Brownsville Station, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Freddie King and the Bob Seger System. New York's oldies format radio station WCBS-FM lists his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" and Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" in its debut "Top 500 Oldies" listing. His recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtrack of the animated movie "Fritz The Cat". A recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Deep Throat".

1973

Chess Records release his LP "The London Bo Diddley Sessions". Bell Records release the soundtrack LP of the movie "Let The Good Times Roll", featuring his breathtaking performances of "I'm A Man" and "Bo Diddley-Itis". He appears at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. His headlining performance alongside the Jerry Garcia Band and Elephant's Memory at the Pirates Ball on-board the SS Bay Belle in New York Harbor is filmed and later appears in the documentary movie "Hells Angels Forever". "Blockbuster", which utilises the Yardbirds' guitar riff from their 1965 hit recording of his song "I'm A Man", is a UK No. 1 hit for The Sweet. Bobby Darin performs a live version of his song "Bo Diddley" during the "Mack Is Back!" NBC TV special. A version of his song "Pills" is included on the influential New York Dolls' debut LP. Influential rock band Iggy & The Stooges perform his song "I'm A Man" during group rehearsals and studio sessions held in Detroit, Michigan. Blues singer/guitarist John Hammond's 1967 recording of his song "I Can Tell" is one of the tracks included on "Let It Rock", a special UK compilation album released to mark the 25th anniversary of Atlantic Records. Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Badlands". Ronnie Hawkins performs a live version of his song "Bo Diddley" in the Canadian music documentary "Rock-A-Bye".

1974

In celebration of Chess Records' 25th anniversary, the Chess Blue Chip Series of singles reissues a number of his most famous tracks, including "Bo Diddley", "Diddley Daddy", "Diddy Wah Diddy", "Gunslinger", "I'm A Man", "I'm Sorry", "Say Man" and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover". Chess Records release his LP "Big Bad Bo". He leaves Chess Records. He appears at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. Influenced by guitarists including BO DIDDLEY, Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker, blues/rock performer George Thorogood makes his recording debut. Best-selling Finnish rock band The Hurriganes record a popular hit version of his song "Road Runner".

1975

Sir Elton John and The Beach Boys record an unreleased version of his song "Cadillac". He makes a triumphant tour of Australia. He headlines at "The Royalty of Rock Week" series of concerts staged at New York's Radio City Music Hall, with artists including Gary US Bonds, Chubby Checker, The Coasters, The Crystals, The Flamingos, Little Richard, The Platters and The Shirelles. Neil Sedaka's song "Bad Blood", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, is a #1 US hit. Shirley & Company's song "Shame Shame Shame", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, is an international hit. English progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer record their adaptation of his song "Bo Diddley". English rock band Humble Pie record a version of his song "Mona". A young Randy and Janet Jackson perform a live version of his song "Love Is Strange" on Dinah Shore's popular "Dinah!" TV show.

1976

RCA Records release his LP "The 20th Anniversary of Rock'n'Roll". His former electric violin player Eddie Drennon, (with BBS Unlimited), has a UK Top 20 hit with "Let's Do The Latin Hustle". Zig Zag magazine includes Quicksilver Messenger Service's 1969 recording of his song "Who Do You Love" in its "Top 60 Readers' Favorite Tracks".

1977

MF Productions release his 2 LP live set "I'm A Man". He appears on ABC TV's Emmy award-winning "American Bandstand's 25th Anniversary Special". He appears in director Tony Palmer's landmark UK TV documentary series "All You Need Is Love - The Story of Popular Music". He performs at the celebrated Max's Kansas City nightclub in New York with the band Elephant's Memory. A live version of his song "Crackin' Up" is included on The Rolling Stones' double LP "Love You Live".

1978

He celebrates his 50th birthday. He is voted one of the "100 Best Rock Guitarists Of All-Time" by the editors of Trouser Press magazine. He moves to a ranch near Hawthorne, Florida. He embarks on a European tour with Matchbox and Carl Perkins. He performs at a 3-day all-star jazz festival at Ayresome Park football stadium in Middlesbrough, England with artists including Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. Juicy Lucy's hit recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of an advertising promo for the popular European radio station Radio Caroline; the track later also features on the various artists compilation 3-CD set "Radio Caroline Calling: Rock Flashback - 54 Classic Rock Anthems". Influenced by artists including BO DIDDLEY, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, punk rock/blues band Sheena & The Rokkets form in Tokyo, Japan. Ronnie Hawkins & The Band perform his song "Who Do You Love" in the concert movie "The Last Waltz". George Thorogood & The Destroyers perform live versions of his songs "Ride On Josephine" and "Who Do You Love" on the BBC TV and radio music concert series "Rock Goes To College". He tours Australia with Chuck Berry and The Drifters.

1979

Writing in his anthology "Stranded: Rock & Roll For A Desert Island" author and critic Greil Marcus includes his 1972 compilation double LP "Got My Own Bag Of Tricks", Ronnie Hawkins' 1963 recording of his song "Who Do You Love" and Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange". He opens for The Clash on their first major US tour; co-founder and lead singer Joe Strummer later cites him as his hero in a special 100th issue edition of Mojo magazine. He embarks on a European tour with Ray Campi & The Rockabilly Rebels, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Whirlwind. Influenced by artists including BO DIDDLEY, BB King, Junior Parker and Jimmy Reed, the popular blues/gospel trio The Holmes Brothers form. Sir Paul McCartney, The Crickets, Don Everly and Denny Laine perform a live version of his song "Bo Diddley" at the 4th annual MPL Buddy Holly Week celebration concert at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England. UK rock & roll band The Pirates perform a live version of his hit song "I Can Tell" on the popular German music TV show "Rockpalast". The Who perform his song "Road Runner" in their documentary movie "The Kids Are Alright". The New York City Band's recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Sunnyside". Doug Sahm's recording of his song "I'm A Man" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "More American Graffiti".