← Back

Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley

Born: 1928-12-30 • McComb, Mississippi, USA

Bo Diddley, born Elias Otha Bates, was an original and influential American rock & roll singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was known as "The Originator" because of the key role in the transition from blues music to rock & roll, influencing a host of legendary acts including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones to name a few.

He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and hard-edged guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs.

Filmography
Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World poster
Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World
2023 • Self (archive footage)
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan poster
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
2023 • Self (archive footage)
The Rolling Stones - Voodoo Lounge Uncut poster
The Rolling Stones - Voodoo Lounge Uncut
2018 • Self
Rolling With the Blues poster
Rolling With the Blues
2007 • Self (archive footage)
No Image
Cheat You Fair: The Story of Maxwell Street
2006 • self
Eddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody poster
Eddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody
2004 • Self (archive footage)
A Tribute to Muddy Waters - Live poster
A Tribute to Muddy Waters - Live
2003 • Self
Godfathers and Sons poster
Godfathers and Sons
2003 • Self (archival)
Bluesy Entertainment: Live poster
Bluesy Entertainment: Live
2003 • Self
Screamin' Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me poster
Screamin' Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me
2001 • Himself
Blues Brothers 2000 poster
Blues Brothers 2000
1998 • The Louisiana Gator Boys
The Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge poster
The Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge
1995 • Self
30th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll All-Star Jam: Bo Diddley poster
30th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll All-Star Jam: Bo Diddley
1995 • Self
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration poster
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration
1993 • Self (segment "Monster in the Mirror")
Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Blues Night poster
Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Blues Night
1991 • Himself
Rockula poster
Rockula
1990 • Axman
Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! poster
Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!
1989 • Legendary Guitarist
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll poster
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989 • Bo Diddley
Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll poster
Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll
1987 • Self
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley: Rock 'n' Roll All Star Jam poster
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley: Rock 'n' Roll All Star Jam
1985 • Self
Live Aid poster
Live Aid
1985 • Self
Trading Places poster
Trading Places
1983 • Pawnbroker
This Is America Part 2 poster
This Is America Part 2
1980 • Self
Dick Clark's Good Old Days poster
Dick Clark's Good Old Days
1977
Let the Good Times Roll poster
Let the Good Times Roll
1973 • Himself
The London Rock and Roll Show poster
The London Rock and Roll Show
1973 • Self
Crush Proof poster
Crush Proof
1972 • Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley's Back in Town poster
Bo Diddley's Back in Town
1972 • Self
Sweet Toronto poster
Sweet Toronto
1971 • Self
The Big T.N.T. Show poster
The Big T.N.T. Show
1965 • Self
No Image
Ron Wood and Bo Diddley: Japan 1988
— • Self