Bo Diddley Crosses Over

Rock 'n' Roll Icon Bo Diddley Dies at 79

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 2) - Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll whose distinctive "shave and a haircut, two bits" rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79.

Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.

"One of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll has left the building he helped construct," the statement said.

For the rest of this story, some pictures and videos, go to Rock 'n' Roll Icon Bo Diddley Dies at 79 - AOL News

I have some history with Bo. I first became familiar with him when I would see him perform at the Apollo Theater in New York when I was a kid. Since I had family that managed the theater, I got access to backstage where I met Bo and hung out. He showed me his famous Bo Diddley "guitar lick". This inspired me to want to play guitar.

As life went on, our paths crossed again and again performing on stage together and doing shows together. The last couple of shows I remember doing with Bo were in the 80's and 90's in Florida and Pa.

One of the funniest memories I have of Bo, is the story he told me about his place in Florida and snakes. At his property in the Gainesville area, he was having alot of problems with snakes. So, Bo put an electric wire around his whole property 2 inches off the ground. Enough juice ran through the wire to shock and discourage any snakes. It was not set high enough to kill them though. Bo didn't play that snake stuff. I always thought that was a pretty cool way to keep snakes off your property.

Thank YOU for the great memories and music Bo! Peace be with YOU on your journey to the other side.

Bo Diddley Rocks,

Bobby Sharpe Bobby Sharpe's " Opyn Mindz": Graduation - Class Of '08 "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Buy My Book Now, "Dragon, Book Of Shang"

R and B Legends Bo Diddley & Ike Turner

Diddley Improves After Suffering Stroke
By ERIC OLSON



OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Four days after suffering a stroke, Bo Diddley walked around the intensive-care unit at Creighton University Medical Center, and doctors were encouraged that the singer-songwriter-guitarist would be able to perform again, his manager said.

The 78-year-old Diddley told his audience that he wasn't feeling well during a show in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday night. Diddley's manager, Margo Lewis, said she had the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer taken to the hospital by ambulance when he appeared disoriented at the Omaha airport on Sunday.

Though Diddley's speech is impaired, he's made significant progress.
"We're going to get a guitar for him and put it in his lap and let him entertain people here," Lewis said from the hospital. "People think that would be good therapy for him."

Diddley, with his black glasses and low-slung guitar, has been an icon in the music industry since he topped the R&B charts with "Bo Diddley" in 1955. His other hits include "Who Do You Love,""Before You Accuse Me,""Mona" and "I'm a Man."

Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1998.

Lewis said it's uncertain how long Diddley, who has a history of hypertension and diabetes, will be hospitalized in Omaha.

He played two Saturday night shows at Harrah's Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. He planned to fly home to Archer, Fla., before starting a monthlong tour of the Midwest and United Kingdom on May 20 in Dallas.

Those shows are canceled, Lewis said, but she believes Diddley will sing again, even though he'll require speech therapy first.

"Singing a song is different than speaking," she said. "Even when there is a problem with speaking, or hesitancy, we've seen where people can sing perfectly."

Ike Turner Jailed on Old Warrant in LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ike Turner spent a night in jail after he was arrested on a 1989 narcotics warrant that turned out to be invalid, police said.

The 75-year-old musician and ex-husband of Tina Turner was spotted on Interstate 405 in the San Fernando Valley about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Police officers saw his 2002 silver Mercedes-Benz S-50 doing more than 80 mph and straddling lanes, Officer April Harding said Thursday.

The car was stopped after it left the freeway and officers ran a check for warrants, which is routine, Harding said.

They found he had an old felony narcotics warrant and Turner was arrested and booked into a downtown jail, Harding said.

"He had court yesterday and I guess that they deemed it was an old warrant that was never removed from the system," Harding said.

Turner was freed from jail about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Turner first appeared in Superior Court on the warrant in December 1989 and the warrant was recalled that same day, said Mary Hearn, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Thought some of YOU music fans and historians might like to see what is up with a couple music "legends". My best wishes go out to Bo and his family. Since I have had the pleasure of doing numerous gigs with him over the years, I want the best for a friend and all around great soul/human being.

Here is a link to the latest update on Bo Diddley's condition as of May 21, 2007.
iWon News - Bo Diddley to Move Out of Intensive Care

Peace & Soulz

Bobby Sharpe www.myspace.com/akuasharpe BobbySharpe.blogspot.com