"I Play The Guitar As If I Were Playing Drums...That's What Makes My Music So Different..."

1980

His daughters Tammi Deanne and Terri Lynne McDaniel form the group Offspring. John Lennon records an unreleased acoustic demo version of his song "I'm A Man". New York no wave band 8-Eyed Spy record their version of his song "Diddy Wah Diddy". Rock band Creeping Ritual, later to achieve international fame as The Gun Club, record a live version of his song "Bo Diddley's A Gunslinger" at West Hollywood, California's Whisky a Go Go nightclub. Inspired by artists including BO DIDDLEY and The Sonics, the popular Finnish pop/punk band 22-Pistepirkko forms. His recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtrack of an episode of the popular CBS TV comedy series "WKRP In Cincinnati".

1981

He records the song "Shake It Sally" with the Belmonts and Freddy Cannon. He appears on ABC TV's "American Bandstand's 30th Anniversary Special". Recorded at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, singer/songwriter Warren Zevon's live album "Stand In The Fire" includes a medley of his songs "Bo Diddley's A Gunslinger" and "Bo Diddley". Warren Zevon later described how recording his all-time favorite song "Bo Diddley" had fulfilled one of his greatest artistic ambitions, describing it as lyrically and musically the apotheosis of the rock & roll song. Music critics Dave Marsh and Kevin Stein list his 1959 single "Say Man" as one of their "40 Best of the Top 40 Singles by Year". Music critics Dave Marsh and Kevin Stein list Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" as one of their "40 Best of the Top 40 Singles by Year". Chess Records (UK) release the 2 LP set "Bo Diddley Chess Masters".

1982

KRO-Radio in the Netherlands broadcasts an episode in its popular weekly "Walhalla Symfonie" series of collages of music and sound fragments centered around the theme of BO DIDDLEY. Author Ralph Denyer lists him as one of the "Guitar Innovators" in his book "The Guitar Handbook". He makes a cameo appearance in George Thorogood & The Destroyers' popular MTV music video "Bad To The Bone". Chess Records (UK) release the 2 LP set "Bo Diddley Chess Masters Vol. 2". An all-star band led by rock drummer Carmine Appice perform his song "Bo Diddley" at a UNICEF benefit concert staged at the Savoy Theater in New York. Influenced by guitarists including BO DIDDLEY and John Lee Hooker, Johnny Marr co-founds alternative rock group The Smiths in Manchester, England. Professional wrestler and manager "Classy" Freddie Blassie and rockabilly musician Johnny Legend team up to record "Hey Fred!", a remake of his 1959 hit song "Say Man". His recording with the Belmonts and Freddy Cannon of the song "Shake It Sally" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Junkman".

1983

He writes and records tracks including "Ain't It Good To Be Free", "Gotta Be A Change" and "I Don't Want Your Welfare", addressing issues close to his heart including human rights, the state of the nation and unemployment. He makes appearances in the movies "Trading Places" and "Hell's Angels Forever". He appears at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. The Rolling Stone Record Guide lists his 1972 LP "Got My Own Bag Of Tricks" as one of its Five-Star Albums. Writing in his book "The R&B Book: A Disc-History of Rhythm & Blues", Big Al Pavlow lists Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" as one of his "Top 100 R&B Records of the 1950s". The Everly Brothers perform his song "Love Is Strange" at their celebrated Reunion Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Carlos Santana records a version of his song "Who Do You Love". A recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtrack of the UK TV movie "Forever Young".

1984

New Rose Records release his LP "Ain't It Good To Be Free". His contribution as one of the founding fathers of rock & roll is recognised in George A Sewell & Margaret L Dwight's book "Mississippi Black History Makers", published by the University Press of Mississippi. He features in a special "Rock Guitar Pioneers" issue of Guitar Player magazine. Singer-songwriter Steve Goodman pens "Go Cubs Go!", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, as the anthem for the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Ronnie Hawkins performs a live version of his song "Bo Diddley" in "The Hawk In Concert" movie.

1985

BO DIDDLEY performs at the Live Aid Concert in Philadelphia with George Thorogood and in front of a world-wide TV audience of millions.

New Rose Records release his live LP "Bo Diddley & Co. Live". "30th Anniversary of Rock'n'Roll All-Star Jam" movie, starring BO DIDDLEY, is filmed. He guest stars on the Choice Channel's "Fabian's Goodtime Rock 'n' Roll" TV special from the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He performs on the "Regal Rock 'n' Blues Reunion" UK tour with artists including Frankie Ford, the Marvelettes, Rick Nelson, Del Shannon and Bobby Vee. Aged 6 years old, R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and film producer Brandy makes her on-stage debut with him and Little Richard at the Los Angeles Forum. Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Mischief". Cheech & Chong's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of their mock documentary movie "Get Out Of My Room". The Allman Brothers Band perform his song "You Don't Love Me" in their documentary movie "The Allman Brothers Band: Brothers Of The Road".

1986

BO DIDDLEY is inducted into The Washington Area Music Association's Hall of Fame.

He performs at the 3rd annual Chicago Blues Festival. He headlines the Lubbock Music Festival held to mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of Buddy Holly in Lubbock, Texas with artists including Ace Cannon, the Crickets, Sonny Curtis, Buddy Knox, Carl Perkins, Del Shannon and Bobby Vee. His custom-built guitar is one of the Top Ten Memorabilia Items to go on display at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Houston, Texas. He is included in the Music Nostalgia/MSI company's "Rock Greats" series of collector's cards. Guitarist, producer and songwriter Artie Traum includes him in his book "The Legends of Rock Guitar". His recording of his song "She's Fine, She's Mine" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Color of Money".

1987

BO DIDDLEY is inducted into The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

He embarks on "The Gunslingers" tours with Ronnie Wood; the pair record their "Live At The Ritz" album in New York with guest vocalists Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. He is the subject of the Rolling Stone Interview feature article in Rolling Stone magazine. Sweden's Channel 1 network broadcasts his "I Don't Sound Like Nobody" concert TV special. He appears in the highly acclaimed documentary movie tribute to Chuck Berry, "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll". Sir Paul McCartney includes a live version of his song "Crackin' Up" on his "Choba B CCCP" ("Live In The Soviet Union") LP. George Michael's song "Faith", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, is an international No. 1 hit; it is later adapted by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board for its "Gotta Have Milk" advertising campaign. British alternative rock band The Jesus & Mary Chain release their version of his song "Who Do You Love". The UK alternative psychedelic rock band This Virgin Deep record their version of his song "Who Do You Love". UK acid house duo The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu sample his 1955 recording of "Bo Diddley" for their track "Rockman Rock, Parts 2 & 3". The Village Voice newspaper lists the reissue of his 1958 debut album "Bo Diddley" in its annual Pazz & Jop (sic) Critics' Poll of Best Reissue Albums. In Japan, the New Orleans-inspired R&B band The Bo Gumbos form and name themselves after him. He appears on the front cover of American roots music magazine Blue Suede News. His recordings of his song "Who Do You Love" are featured on the soundtracks of the movies "La Bamba" and "The Big Town". His recording with Patti Jannetta of their song "Make Up Your Mind" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Meatballs III". George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of an episode of the popular TV series "Miami Vice". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Dirty Dancing".

1988

BO DIDDLEY is presented with the key to his home town of McComb, Mississippi and commendations from the McComb Board of Selectmen and the Pike County Board of Supervisors during a Pike County Arts Council concert held in Magnolia, Mississippi.

He celebrates his 60th birthday. He performs at the "Legends of Rock & Roll" Concert and TV Special in Rome, Italy. His "Live At The Ritz" album with Ronnie Wood is a hit in Japan, making the Japanese Top 40 album chart. U2's song "Desire", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, is an international hit. English rock singer/songwriter Steve Marriott performs versions of his songs "Before You Accuse Me" and "I Don't Know Where I've Been" live in concert. Influenced by artists including BO DIDDLEY, The MC5, The Stooges and Neil Young, guitarists Mark Arm and Steve Turner form the grunge rock band Mudhoney in Seattle, Washington. His recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtracks of the movies "Stealing Home" and "Short Circuit 2". His recording of his song "Surfer's Love Chant" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Tapeheads". His recording of his song "I'm A Man" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "A Night In The Life of Jimmy Reardon". George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Two Moon Junction". Jesus & The Mary Chain's recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Earth Girls Are Easy".

1989

BO DIDDLEY performs at President George HW Bush's inaugural "Celebration For Young Americans: Tribute To Rhythm & Blues" gala concert in Washington, DC.

BO DIDDLEY and Willie Dixon are inducted into The Hollywood RockWalk.

He co-writes and records tracks including "Down With The Pusher" and "Wake Up America", addressing issues close to his heart including drug abuse and the state of the nation. Triple X Records release his album "Breakin' Through The BS". He records the song "Book of Love" with Ben E. King, rapper Doug Lazy and bassist Stanley Clarke. He performs at the "Legends of Rock & Roll - Once More With Feeling" Concert and TV Special in Melbourne, Australia. He headlines the celebrated Transmusicales music festival in Rennes, France. He appears as himself in the movie "Eddie & The Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!". Rock music critic Dave Marsh includes 6 of his records, "Who Do You Love", "I'm A Man", "Say Man", "Dearest Darling", "Say Boss Man" and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover", in his book "The Heart Of Rock & Soul: The 1,001 Greatest Singles Ever Made". Rock music critic Dave Marsh includes Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" in his book "The Heart Of Rock & Soul: The 1,001 Greatest Singles Ever Made". Rock music critic Dave Marsh includes the Yardbirds' 1965 recording of his song "I'm A Man" in his book "The Heart Of Rock & Soul: The 1,001 Greatest Singles Ever Made". Satan Records release the "Bo Did It!" tribute album. On the popular BBC Radio program "Desert Island Discs", British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading chooses Muddy Waters' version of his song "I'm A Man" as one of the records to take for her imaginary stay on the island. He teams up with athlete Bo Jackson for a "Bo don't know Diddley" sportswear TV commercial. He moves to Archer, Florida. Eric Clapton and Robert Cray perform a live version of his song "Before You Accuse Me" on the syndicated TV series "Michelob Presents Night Music". He is one of the icons listed in a shout-out by rock band the Ramones in the music video for their song "I Believe In Miracles". Hip hop trio De La Soul sample his 1973 recording of "Hit Or Miss" for their track "Buddy". Rapper Def Jef samples his 1973 recording of "Hit Or Miss" for his track "Just A Poet (It Feels Mighty Fine)". His song "I'm A Man" (retitled "I'm A Woman") is featured in the award-winning Broadway musical revue "Black And Blue". His recordings of his songs "Bo Diddley" and "I'm A Man" are featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Who Shot Patakango?". His recording of his song "Mona" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "She's Out of Control". Chris Isaak's recording of his song "Diddley Daddy" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Shag". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the popular TV comedy series "Designing Women".