"I Opened The Door For A Lot Of People, And They Just Ran Through And Left Me Holding The Knob..."

1990

BO DIDDLEY receives the Editor's Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Player magazine.

To celebrate 35 years of rock & roll, the readers of Entertainment Weekly magazine vote him one of the most important rockers of all-time. He features in Rolling Stone magazine's special "A Celebration of Four Decades of Rock" issue. Chess Records release "The Chess Box" retrospective CD box set. Both Rolling Stone magazine and music critic Robert Christgau writing in The Village Voice list his CD box set "The Chess Box" as one of their "50 Essential Recordings From The 50s". Rolling Stone magazine lists Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" as one of their "50 Essential Recordings From The 50s". In Italy, Buscadero magazine lists his 1983 LP "His Greatest Sides, Volume 1" as one of its "Best Rock Albums Of All-Time". His song "Mona (I Need You Baby)" recorded by Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 reaches the UK Top 5. He appears in a radio beer commercial. He appears on the front cover of Goldmine music magazine. He headlines the Rites of Spring Music Festival held on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He performs at a special benefit concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the popular radio deejay Porky Chedwick aka The Bossman, with artists including Hank Ballard, Lou Christie, Bobby Comstock, Johnnie & Joe, Little Anthony, The Marcels, The Vogues and Wolfman Jack. A live version of his song "Crackin' Up" is included on Sir Paul McCartney's album "Tripping The Live Fantastic". Prince introduces live versions of his song "Hey Bo Diddley" into his "Nude Tour" shows in Europe and Japan. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton record their version of his song "Love Is Strange" and perform it on-stage together at the 24th Annual Country Music Association Awards Show. English international footballer Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne and folk-rock group Lindisfarne's song "Fog On The Tyne (Revisited)", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, reaches the UK Top 2. His recording of his song "I'm A Man" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Lisa". His recording of his instrumental "Diddley's Blues" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Rockula". His recording with Ben E King of the song "Book Of Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Book Of Love". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Mermaids". Eric Clapton performs his song "Before You Accuse Me" in the documentary movie "Live At Knebworth".

1991

Robert Palmer's sleeve notes for his retrospective CD box set "The Chess Box" are nominated in the Best Album Notes category by the Recording Academy at the 33rd annual GRAMMY Awards; he describes BO DIDDLEY as "one of the most original and fertile rhythmic intelligences of our time". Vox magazine includes his 1955 recording of "Bo Diddley" as one of its "100 Records That Shook The World". Musician and music writer Cub Koda releases the "Cub Digs Bo" tribute CD. The UK punk/R&B band Thee Headcoats release the "WOAH! Bo In Thee Garage" tribute CD. He appears at the "Guitar Legends" Concert and TV Special in Seville, Spain. Chris Isaak performs his song "Diddley Daddy" on NBC's popular comedy-variety TV show "Saturday Night Live". The Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band form and record his hit songs "Diddley Daddy" and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover". The Village Voice newspaper lists his retrospective CD box set "The Chess Box" in its annual Pazz & Jop (sic) Critics' Poll of Best Reissue Albums. Rapper Schoolly D samples his 1973 recording of "Hit Or Miss" for his track "Your Worst Nightmare". His recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "A Rage In Harlem". KT Oslin's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys".

1992

BO DIDDLEY receives a special tribute from and performs on the TV series "It's Showtime At The Apollo", from the landmark Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

He premieres a national "Dew It Vertical" advertising campaign for a drinks company. He appears on ABC TV's "American Bandstand's 40th Anniversary Special", where he leads the all-star band. He is chosen as spokesperson and celebrity judge for KFC Musical Feast, a national search for America's best street musicians. He co-hosts a luncheon for the international press with Al Teller, Chairman of MCA Group, to convey the importance of the record company's legal victory over the unauthorized exploitation of hundreds of masters in the Chess Records catalog. He headlines the Buddy Holly Tribute '92 concerts held at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa with artists including the Crickets and Bobby Vee. He is included in the ProSet company's "Superstars MusiCards" series of collector's cards. Authors Jim Dawson and Steve Propes list his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" in their book "What Was The First Rock & Roll Record?". Music writer Jimmy Guterman lists his 1963 live LP "Bo Diddley's Beach Party" in his "100 Best Rock & Roll Records Of All-Time". The Wire magazine lists his 1959 LP "Go Bo Diddley" as one of its "100 Most Important Records Ever Made". The UK's Rock Compact Disc magazine lists his 1989 UK compilation CD "Road Runner" in its listing of "Guitar Heroes 1945-1992: 50 Classic Albums" and his 1990 retrospective CD box set "The Chess Box" in its listing of "Awop Bop-A-Loo-Bop: 30 Rock & Roll Greats on CD". "Joel Whitburn's Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits" lists Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" as one of its "Top 100 of 1957". He appears at the Democratic Party National Convention in New York City. Rhino Records release the "Bo Diddley Beats" tribute compilation CD. Eric Clapton includes a version of his song "Before You Accuse Me" in his "Unplugged" MTV Special and CD. Female rapper Yo-Yo samples his 1972 recording of his song "Hey Jerome" for her track "A Few Good Men". Rappers Kwame & A New Beginning sample his 1973 recording of "Hit Or Miss" for their track "Dontmatta". Sir Paul McCartney performs a BO DIDDLEY beat version of the Lennon & McCartney classic "I Wanna Be Your Man" for the MTV music series "Paul McCartney: Up Close". Former World No. 1 professional tennis player John McEnroe performs a live version of his song "Before You Accuse Me" at the Tennis On The Rocks concert in Paris, France. The Yardbirds re-form and perform a live version of his song "I'm A Man" at their reunion concert at the 100 Club in London, England. Detroit, Michigan garage/blues rock trio The Gories record their versions of his songs "Craw-Dad" and "Hey Bo Diddley". Chris Isaak's recording of his song "Diddley Daddy" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Cutting Edge".

1993

He writes tracks including "My Jesus Ain't Prejudice" and "This Should Not Be", addressing issues close to his heart including racial and philosophical tolerance, hunger and homelessness. Triple X Records release his CD "This Should Not Be". Music writer Paul Williams lists his 1957 recording of "Mona" in his "Rock & Roll: The 100 Best Singles". His autographed cica 1940 Harmony Cremona II acoustic guitar is one of the Top Ten Memorabilia Items to go on display at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Miami, Florida. He is included in the Collect-A-Card company's "American Bandstand" series of collector's cards, featuring artists who appeared on the popular ABC-TV music show. The English mod/pop art band The Creation re-form and perform a live version of his song "I'm A Man" at their reunion concert at the Mean Fiddler nightclub in London, England. The Animals' recording of his song "Road Runner" is featured on the soundtrack of the popular UK TV drama series "Heartbeat". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the UK TV drama "Lipstick On Your Collar".

1994

He co-writes tracks including "Hear What I'm Sayin'" and "Kids Don't Do It", addressing issues close to his heart including drug abuse and the importance of staying in school. Triple X Records release his CD "Promises". The MCA/Chess 4-CD box set "Chess Rhythm 'n' Roll" includes a total of 6 of his classic Chess tracks. He is chosen as spokesperson for the American Health Care Association (AHCA) appearing in radio promos to counties in his home State of Florida. He headlines an all-star Chess Records tribute with artists including Billy Boy Arnold, Johnnie Johnson, Dave Myers and Hubert Sumlin at California's Long Beach Blues Festival. He performs on Richard Nader's "25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Revival Spectacular" at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He makes a special guest appearance on-stage with The Rolling Stones in Miami, Florida for the band's "Hoodoo U Voodoo" pay per view TV special. He contributes guitar, vocals and maracas to the track "I Know Bo Diddley" on his Galveston, Texas-based blues protege Hamilton Loomis' debut album "Hamilton". His song "She's Fine, She's Mine" (retitled "You Don't Love Me (No No No)") is a Jamaican #1 and a UK Top 3 hit for Jamaican reggae singer Dawn Penn. His autographed custom-built guitar is one of the Top Ten Memorabilia Items to go on display at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Madrid, Spain. His custom-built Gretsch guitar is one of the Top Ten Memorabilia Items to go on display at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, Tennessee. Spain's leading daily newspaper El Pais includes his 1959 LP "Go Bo Diddley" and his 1964 "Two Great Guitars" LP with Chuck Berry in its listing of "The Perfect Record Collection". Music critics Dave Marsh and James Bernard include him in their "50 Best Guitarists" in their book "The New Book of Rock Lists". Music critics Dave Marsh and James Bernard include him in their "100 Best Songwriters" in their book "The New Book of Rock Lists". Music critics Dave Marsh and James Bernard include his 1955 debut single "Bo Diddley"/"I'm A Man" in their "20 Best Debut Singles" in their book "The New Book of Rock Lists". Music critics Dave Marsh and James Bernard include his 1955 recording of his song "I'm A Man" in their "Heavy Metal Ore: 20 Records That Dug The Pit From Which Metal Was Mined" in their book "The New Book of Rock Lists". Music critics Dave Marsh and James Bernard include his 1960 LP "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" in their "75 Great Album Cover Designs" in their book "The New Book of Rock Lists". Irish musician and poetic songwriter Shane MacGowan includes him in his "Rebellious Jukebox" feature in the UK's Melody Maker magazine in which he details the music and the musicians that changed his life. Rapper Method Man samples his 1973 recording of "Hit Or Miss" for his track "I Get My Thang In Action". Pam Tillis' song "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)", with its BO DIDDLEY beat, tops the US and Canadian Country Singles charts. His recording of the song "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Cops And Robbersons". Mike Mills & The BackBeat Band's recording of his song "Road Runner" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "BackBeat". George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Cowboy Way". Ten Years After's recording of his song "I'm Going Home" (aka "Down Home Special") is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Le Peril Jeune". George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is used as the opening theme for the popular Howie Carr current affairs radio talk show on Boston's WRKO AM 680. The Who's Roger Daltrey backed by the Jools Holland Big Band perform his song "I'm A Man" on the popular UK TV show "Don't Forget Your Toothbrush".

1995

Don Everly, writing in his foreword to George R. White's biography "Bo Diddley - Living Legend", describes him as "truly a rock & roll hero of the first magnitude". He opens the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, FL. He performs with an all-star band at the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. He headlines the celebrated OpenAir Frauenfeld music festival staged in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Triple X Records release his CD "The Mighty Bo Diddley". In celebration of 40 years of rock & roll, his classic recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is one of the tracks compiled by the iconic French singer and actor Johnny Hallyday for the compilation CD "Johnny Hallyday Presente Toute La Musique Que J'aime: Le Rock 'n' Roll". His protege Hamilton Loomis' debut album "Hamilton" is nominated in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category by the Recording Academy at the 37th annual GRAMMY Awards. He contributes a recipe to the book "A Musical Feast: Recipes From Over 100 Of The World's Most Famous Musical Artists", published to raise funds for the homeless. Seattle's classic rock format radio station KISW-FM lists George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Who Do You Love" as one of its "Top 1000 Classic Rock Songs of All-Time". North Carolina's oldies format radio station WMQX-FM lists Mickey & Sylvia's 1956 recording of his song "Love Is Strange" as one of its "Top 600 Songs of All-Time". Phil Upchurch and Chaka Khan record their version of his song "Love Is Strange". During his "Oobu Joobu" weekly radio programs on the Westwood One network, Sir Paul McCartney airs previously unreleased soundcheck recordings of himself performing his songs "Bring It To Jerome" and "Crackin' Up". Irish musician and poetic songwriter Shane MacGowan includes his 1964 LP "Bo Diddley's 16 All-Time Greatest Hits" in his "Five Records That Changed My Life" feature in Norway's popular Beat magazine. Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring include their version of his song "Who Do You Love" on their "Love Sweat" album of cover songs. The UK reggae/hip hop duo the Ragga Twins sample his 1970 recording of his song "Black Soul" for their track "Mash It Up". The Canadian hip hop outfit Sic Sense sample his 1971 recording of "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" for their track "Positional Bypass". The Scandinavian Blues Association include his 1955 recording of his song "I'm A Man" on their various artists compilation album titled "Led Zeppelin's Sources of Inspiration". The English progressive rock band Jethro Tull introduce a BO DIDDLEY beat instrumental version of their song "Aqualung" into the band's live shows that they title "Aquadiddley". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Casino". Dawn Penn's recording of his song "You Don't Love Me (No No No)" is featured on the soundtracks of the movies "Party Girl" and "Kla$h".

1996

BO DIDDLEY receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Rhythm 'n' Blues Foundation.

BO DIDDLEY is presented with a Governor's Award by the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) in honor of his dedication to and support of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

1997

BO DIDDLEY performs at President Clinton's second term inaugural gala in Washington, DC.

His album "A Man Amongst Men" is nominated in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category by the Recording Academy at the 39th annual GRAMMY Awards. In celebration of Chess Records' 50th anniversary, MCA/Chess release the compilation CD "Bo Diddley-His Best". He headlines the annual "Blues Cruise" aboard the SS Norway cruise ship. He performs at a benefit concert in West Hollywood, California for the Recording Academy's MusiCares Foundation. He is included in Pete Prown and HP Newquist's book "Legends of Rock Guitar - The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists". Rolling Stone magazine lists his 1987 reissue CD "Bo Diddley"/"Go Bo Diddley" in its "Rolling Stone 200: The Essential Rock Collection". He appears in the PBS documentary "Record Row: Cradle of Rhythm & Blues", about the history of the Chess and Vee-Jay record labels. Patti Smith performs a live version of his song "Who Do You Love" on CBS-TV's "The Late Show With David Letterman". Connie Francis, backed by artists including Sonny Curtis and The Jordanaires, records a "BO DIDDLEY Medley" and a version of his song "Love Is Strange" for her tribute album to Buddy Holly. His portrait by graphic artist Michael Schwab is included in International Paper's "Springhill Salutes The Founders of Rock 'n' Roll" limited edition series of posters, along with Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Elvis Presley. Guitar World magazine names him as one of its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time". Spanish music writer Jose Ramon Pardo lists his 1958 debut LP "Bo Diddley" as one of his "1,000 Best Pop-Rock Albums". German music critic Hans-Jurgen Klitsch writing in Hartbeat! magazine includes his 1958 debut LP "Bo Diddley" amongst his "Top 100 Greatest Albums of All-Time". German music critic Werner Fuchs writing in Hartbeat! magazine lists his 1957 recording of his song "Mona" amongst his "Top 100 Singles". German music critic Hans-Jurgen Klitsch writing in Hartbeat! magazine lists the Pretty Things' 1965 recording of his song "Road Runner" amongst his "Top 100 Singles". German music critic Ulli Hesse-Lichterberger writing in Hartbeat! magazine lists the Woolies' 1967 recording of his song "Who Do You Love" amongst his "Top 100 Singles". German music critic Ulli Hesse-Lichterberger writing in Hartbeat! magazine lists his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" amongst his "Top 100 Singles B-sides". Music critics Nigel Cross and Hans-Jurgen Klitsch writing in Hartbeat! magazine both list the Misunderstood's 1966 recording of his song "Who Do You Love" amongst their "Top 100 Singles B-sides". The National Association of Rhythm & Blues Deejays includes Microwave Dave & The Nukes' recording of his song "Road Runner" in its annual "Top 50 Rhythm & Blues Dance Songs". The Yardbirds' recording of his song "I'm A Man" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Last Days of Frankie The Fly". The Everly Brothers' recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Locusts". A recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "The Slab Boys". Juicy Lucy's recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of a fast food restaurant chain's TV commercial in the UK. Dawn Penn's recording of his song "You Don't Love Me (No No No)" is featured on the soundtrack of the popular UK TV comedy series "Cold Feet".

1998

BO DIDDLEY receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy at the 40th annual GRAMMY Awards Ceremony.

BO DIDDLEY's 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" is inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame as a recording of lasting qualitative or historical significance by The Recording Academy at the 40th annual GRAMMY Awards Ceremony.

The Amazon.com website lists his 1997 compilation CD "Bo Diddley-His Best" as one of its "Vintage Rock Essentials". He opens the Hard Rock Cafe in St. Louis, Missouri with a performance benefitting local children's charities. He performs at the inaugural Gibson Guitar Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. He performs at the "Porkstock" festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in celebration of popular deejay Porky Chedwick's golden anniversary in radio. He appears as a member of the Louisiana Gator Boys all-star band in the movie "Blues Brothers 2000". His exhibit goes on display at the opening of the Blues and Blues Legends Hall of Fame in Robinsonville, Mississippi. Italian music writer Mauro Ronconi lists his 1958 debut LP "Bo Diddley" as one of his "200 Best Albums of the 20th Century" and his song "Who Do You Love" amongst his "Best Songs From The 200 Best Albums". Swedish music critic Nils Hansson writing in Sweden's leading daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter includes his song "Who Do You Love" amongst his "48 Best Rock Songs". The Spanish music magazine Rock de Lux lists his song "I'm A Man" as one of its "150 Best Songs of the 20th Century". He is named as one of VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll". The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum acclaims his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" and Quicksilver Messenger Service's 1969 recording of his song "Who Do You Love" amongst the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll". The Dutch classic rock format radio station Arrow Classic Rock lists Ten Years After's live 1969 recording of his song "I'm Going Home" (aka "Down Home Special") in its "Top 100 Rock Legends". He headlines the concert held to mark the official opening of the new wing of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. He guests in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Hall of Fame series. He headlines at the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival in Michigan. The Peter Green Splinter Group, led by the acclaimed English blues guitarist and singer Peter Green, perform their version of his song "Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut" on the popular German TV music show "Ohne Filter". The Pretty Things and Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour perform a version of his song "Road Runner" during a live Internet broadcast from the Abbey Road Studios in London, England. Best-selling author Stephen King backed by The Wrockers, including Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on guitar, contribute their versions of his songs "Bo Diddley" and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" to the "Stranger Than Fiction" charity album. Finnish hip hop trio Pepe Deluxe sample his 1971 recording of "Bad Moon Rising" for their track "Woman In Blue". His recording of the song "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" is featured on the soundtrack of the popular NBC TV crime drama series "Homicide: Life On The Street". His recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the PC game "Space Bunnies Must Die!". His recording of his instrumental "Aztec" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Zingo". He celebrates his 70th birthday.

1999

At the University of Florida, BO DIDDLEY becomes an Honorary Initiate Member of the Eta Omega Chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.

His 1955 recording of his song "I'm A Man" is included in the National Public Radio (NPR) list of the "300 Most Important American Musical Works Of The 20th Century". He performs for the US First Lady, as she announces $60,000 in private and corporate donations to restore the former Chess Records recording studio at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois to its original condition. The MCA/Universal 15-CD box set "The Chess Story 1947-75" includes a total of 15 of his classic Chess tracks. He headlines a benefit concert for Community Bridges, a non-profit humanities and arts community group, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He makes a special guest appearance on-stage with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at the San Francisco Fillmore Auditorium for a TV special. Columnist Gary Pig Gold lists his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" as one of his "40 Most Influential Pop Records of the 20th Century". Columnist Ken Burke aka Dr. Iguana includes him in his list of the "25 Most Influential Recording Artists" and his 1987 reissue CD "Bo Diddley"/"Go Bo Diddley" as one of his "25 Favorite LPs". Swedish magazine Expressen lists his 1963 live LP "Bo Diddley's Beach Party" as one of its "100 Best Records Ever". He performs at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's American Music Masters series all-star concert tribute to rhythm & blues artist Louis Jordan. Gretsch Guitars release the G6138 BO DIDDLEY signature model guitar, a reproduction of the rectangular guitar which Gretsch had custom-built for him in 1958. He is portrayed by actor Michael Dunston in the NBC TV movie "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story". Minnesota-based composer Libby Larsen, inspired by the rock & roll rhythms of BO DIDDLEY, the hambone rhythms of African-American tradition and the melodies of the cakewalk dance, composes a piece for concert band titled "Hambone". Sir Paul McCartney plays his recording of "Crackin' Up" in the BBC Radio special "Paul McCartney's Rock & Roll Routes". The National Association of Rhythm & Blues Deejays includes Crosscut's recording of his song "Before You Accuse Me" in its annual "Top 50 Rhythm & Blues Dance Songs". The Dutch classic rock format radio station Arrow Classic Rock lists Ten Years After's live 1969 recording of his song "I'm Going Home" (aka "Down Home Special") in its "Top 50 Guitar Solos". "Jean Baltazaarrr", which utilises the Yardbirds' guitar riff from their 1965 hit recording of his song "I'm A Man", is recorded by the popular Belgium-based duo Arno Hintjens & Beverly Jo Scott. His recording of his song "I'm A Man" is featured on the soundtrack of the HBO original TV series "The Sopranos". Quicksilver Messenger Service's recording of his song "Who Do You Love" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Boys Don't Cry". Mickey & Sylvia's recording of his song "Love Is Strange" is featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Dogma". George Thorogood & The Destroyers' recording of his song "Ride On Josephine" is featured on the soundtrack of a Territorial Army TV commercial in the UK.

BO DIDDLEY celebrates a career spanning 45 years and a lifetime of playing and creating music, his reputation secure as one of the world's unique and most creative musical talents of the 20th century.