Bo Diddley was announced dead at the ripe old age of 79 yesterday as the man who many believed to have given birth to the name “rock & roll” left behind a legacy of his own and a musical treasure that continues to be pillaged and reworked by many artists from across different genres. While the tributes have started to pour in, I have personally loved the music of Bo Diddley since I discovered the blues, and have aspired to play his work for years. There is a magical quality about the raw and sometimes primitive rhythmic thump of his blues, as well as the passion and power that begs to be released from both his voice and guitar.

While Bo Diddley might have died and left a void in the music world, he still has so much recorded material that continues to inspire other musicians. There can be no denying the fact that many of the world famous recording artists from the likes of Buddy Holly to the Rolling Stones, owe their fortune and success to Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley’s death can only spur on more young musicians to discover his work and perhaps bring even more exposure and cast greater limelight on him. This might have come too late now, and the revered blues musician did actually enjoy quite a high profile due to his appearances on some popular commercial marketing blitzes for mainstream products, but it will ensure that his memory lives on in many others and that his music continues to breathe a life of its own in his physical absence.

Bo Diddley also ranked among many other prominent and important blues musicians of his and following generations, including the likes of BB King, Albert King, right down to the blues rock of Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV) and even blues rocker Johnny Lang. The lyrics from his songs have also struck a nerve with many individuals, some enjoying the cutting edge they were delivered in, others engulfed by the feeling and emotion behind them. Bo Diddley might have died and left us, but we will always remember the true blue musician and innovative guitarist.