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R.l.P. Bo Diddley

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:15:00 PM EST
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R.I.P. Bo Diddley who has died at age 79. Video of Mona with Tom Petty here and with Ron Wood from the Stones here.

This is an open thread.

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    R.l.P. Bo Diddley | 58 comments (58 topical)

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    Anne d'Harnoncourt (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by andgarden on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:08:35 PM EST
    director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a family friend died today at 64. It was really quite unexpected, and I will miss her.

    I send my best to her husband Joe, also a family friend.

    Bad Week (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by cmugirl on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:10:55 PM EST
    Bo Diddley, Harvey Korman, Sid Pollack, Yves St. Laurent.

    Crazy.

    Concur - they're only supposed to go (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by scribe on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:14:33 PM EST
    three at a time.

    And Bo makes four.

    He was one of the all-time originals - and a true innovator.  He didn't like it when others would build on his innovations, prefering that they find their own originality.

    And Alan Freed named rock-n-roll based upon one of Bo's songs....

    Parent

    I'd say 'great minds ... ' but you don't even ... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:23:26 PM EST
    ... have to think about it to hear/see Bo's innovation. :-)

    Parent
    As well as (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by janarchy on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:25:53 PM EST
    several people involved in the original Star Trek

    Producer Robert Justman
    Director Joseph Pevney
    Original Composer Alexander Courage

    (they all had pretty extensive resumes above and beyond Star Trek though)

    Parent

    too young to go in my view! but that's me! (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by hellothere on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:42:45 PM EST
    i would love to see them with us longer. they brought joy, smarts, style, and honor to their pursuits and our lives.

    Parent
    Loved Bo -- a true innovator and one of a kind (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:21:22 PM EST
    It's staggering to think of how many styles of music rode in on what he laid down.

    Few people.... (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:36:45 PM EST
    have a beat named after them....that just says it all.

    Rock on into eternity Bo...your beat will live forever.

    Parent

    I saw him play when I was a yoot (none / 0) (#23)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:25:43 PM EST
    My uncle took me. (Musician, always referred to me only by my formal name: "C'mere kid and learn something.")

    Parent
    Never had the pleasure of Bo.... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:55:18 PM EST
    but I got see the Godfather JB before he passed.  Whenever a legend comes around you gotta get off your arse and go, before its too late.  That's why I've seen Levon Helm 3 times in the past year...too important to miss, though I think Levon will be kickin' for awhile, he looks so alive for having beat the cancer.

    In my opinion, after the Bill of Rights, music has been America's greatest gift to the world.  Blues, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Punk, Rap....all invented right here in the USA.  That's the kinda thing that makes me so proud to be an American.

    Parent

    Mee too! Same musical Uncle Hepcat took me and (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:24:38 PM EST
    ... four of my BFFs to see him at a "Supper Club" for my birthday. It was between JB's disco phase and his 80's comeback.

    It was so cool. I can't imagine what our party must have looked like but my uncle got us a great table -- he knew some of the people there from being a local plug in to visiting groups and, I suspect, periodic waiter -- and I scored a thousand killowat smile from Soul Brother No. 1 himself.

    It obliterated the other memory of the coolness of my uncle ordering a special dessert since there was no service during performance: vanilla ice cream drizzled with (forbidden alcohol containing) creme de menthe. "I'll have blah blah blah ... and the ladies will have ... " We practically fell out of our chairs from the staggering coolness.

    What an awesome night. My uncle kept elbowing me to check for the cues: "Dja catch the look No. 1 cut the (trom)bone? He took a liberty." (A master of timing, the Godfather wouldn't allow ad-libs from his horn section.

    Phew, thanks for uncorking that one. I've been systematically "mourning" by listening to JB's catalogue. I'm still not done a year and half after his death.

    Love the intro on this one and he lets Fred speak, too!

    Parent

    Thanks for the link.... (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:40:48 PM EST
    Take me higher James, take me HIGHER!  

    Your uncle sounds like the Mack...my kinda guy:)

    My brother in law was my musical mentor, but he's not that much older so I found a alotta sh*t on my own, digging through used record bins and tracing the influences of my favorite bands all the way back to the roots.

    I've always loved this remix...being a novice drummer myself....when me and the fellas get a jam going I always seem to find my way to this beat at the break....like its engrained in my DNA.

    Parent

    I always pounce on the rekkids ... (none / 0) (#49)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:33:47 PM EST
    I don't have an instrument but I studied dance most of my life, so I'm open to any style. I didn't pursue it professionally but I work out with some other dancers and performers sometimes and I'm always passing along music.

    Every time there's a trend to a new medium, I request everyone's old junk and listen to the music. I'm amazed at how much gets lost just because medium change always means a copyright fight.

    I'm more of a music geek than collectible records geek though.

    Parent

    Happy Trails (none / 0) (#27)
    by Molly Bloom on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:38:56 PM EST
    Happy Trails Bo!

    Parent
    He died in Archer, FL which is (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by FlaDemFem on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:57:55 PM EST
    right down the road from me. I am going to see when the funeral is and go if it is open to the public. "Who do you love?" is on my all-time favorite song list. RIP Bo, we will be playing your music and remembering your indomitable spirit.

    Parent
    Digby's post on bi-partisanship (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by ruffian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:32:35 PM EST
    Digby yesterday psoted on some poll results that (in a real small nutshell) show people think McCain is more likely than Obama to form bi-partisan concensus.  She speculates on whether Obama should chase that vote - ie. act more bi -partisan than McCain by picking a Republican VP or cabinet memebers, or go the other way and play to the dissatisfaction with Republican rule.

    He comments are down on that one, so I couldn't see how people felt.

    My own opinion is that Obama has already telegrapohed his hand on this one - he wants to be Mr. BiPartisan. Not sure he will go as far as to pick a Republican VP, but he might.

    I progressives have fooled themselves into believing he will go left rather than right when he gets the nomination.  I'm kind of surprised Digby thinks there is any question that he will go the bi-partisan route. But then she is wisder than I in most cases.

    I thinik it's gonna be a long, long time.... (none / 0) (#17)
    by Fabian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:53:41 PM EST
    Since we're going all lyrical here.

    Over at DK, people are trying to fire up the Unity Train again.   I think the Unity engine needs a whole lotta work before it'll haul all the bitter Obama supporters out of the station, let alone make it to the first stop to pick up Clinton supporters.

    I've never seen a group of more graceless winners in my life.  Now I'm thinking up a snarky button...hmmm

    How about "Don't you have a rally to go to?".

    Parent

    Heh (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Steve M on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:27:43 PM EST
    Who are they trying to win over?  The 4 Clinton supporters who still read Daily Kos?

    Parent
    There's a few more than that. (none / 0) (#36)
    by Fabian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:00:08 PM EST
    But there's now a whole Purity Patrol who want nothing to do with any Clinton, believe their own bizarro version of events, and want nothing less than complete submission to the Obama Movement.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#48)
    by Steve M on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:33:14 PM EST
    That sounds like the Daily Kos I remember.  It's always been like, you know, Russ Feingold voted the wrong way on some bill, let's find a primary opponent!  So really, there's nothing they could do at this juncture that would take the purity trolling  any further than it's already been.

    Parent
    Don't tempt me (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:09:03 PM EST
    I'm trying to be nice.  But how about something referring to "you and the Unity Pony you rode in on"

    Parent
    Bi-partisanship... (none / 0) (#26)
    by madamab on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:37:45 PM EST
    that means something different to me than it means to someone like Joe Lieberman, Obama's Senate mentor.

    To Lieberman and (I suspect) Obama, it means Unifying with the Republicans by becoming more like them.

    I personally prefer non-partisan to bi-partisan. Non-partisan means both parties agree because the principle is more important than the party. Hillary excels at this approach.

    As for bi-partisan? I have no doubt that Obama, should he become the nominee, will in fact pick a Republican as VP. It's 100% consistent with his approach.

    Parent

    Heh (none / 0) (#50)
    by Steve M on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:34:28 PM EST
    I am going to lower your opinion of me and share this naughty diary I wrote.

    Parent
    Ouch! (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by blogtopus on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:35:35 PM EST
    That really is a loss; this week has been rough. I'm glad that it appears that Teddy won't be joining them this week, though.

    They go in groups of three, Concur; this might be the start of another batch, unfortunately. [/pessimist]

    I got a tombstone head (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:38:27 PM EST
    and a graveyard mind. I turned twenty one, I dont mind dyin'.

    As the Lakota used to say: It's a good day to die.

              Rest in Peace, Bo

    RIP (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by karen for Clinton on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:40:27 PM EST
    Bo's beat will live on.  Instantly classic rhythm.

    His first homemade in 1945 box geetar is on display at Hard Rock NYC.

    Close up it is a trip to see the details!

    Bomp, Ba-Bomp-Bomp, Bomp-Bomp.  Bye Bo and thanks.

    i was at those fillmore shows (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Turkana on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:43:01 PM EST
    the man could put more into one fleeting note than most musicians put into entire songs.

    who do you love (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by shadow on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:52:59 PM EST


    Clinton, Obama on Gay Pride month (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:30:41 PM EST
    Clinton's statement here in her news releases

    Obama's here on pg2 of his blog

    Holy he**.... (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by madamab on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:43:14 PM EST
    IAAO! (It's All About Obama)

    Parent
    lol!~ yup. check his news page ;) (none / 0) (#30)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:45:52 PM EST


    Parent
    LOL! (none / 0) (#32)
    by madamab on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:48:27 PM EST
    Every time he speaks, that's news! ;-)

    Parent
    the thought of a few more months of it (none / 0) (#33)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:52:51 PM EST
    or 4yrs, OY.

    I find it interesting he doesn't have a statement on his new page though. . . .

    Parent

    Bee-yoo-ti-ful. (none / 0) (#38)
    by Fabian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:07:38 PM EST
    America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. That is truly the promise of America.

    That's one message I'll be happy to stick to!

    Parent

    Latest SD & MT polls? (none / 0) (#2)
    by gmo on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:08:49 PM EST
    Anyone have reliable numbers for how close the races are? Apparently, ARG has HRC up by 26 points in SD?  (No idea about their polling methods, reliability, etc)

    I know at this point these races feel like an afterthought and don't do much for the Popular Vote vs Delegate count argument, but is it true that HRC is up substantially in SD, and close in MT?  

    was hoping for SUSA polls for SD & MT (none / 0) (#12)
    by Josey on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:39:14 PM EST
    but haven't seen anything.


    Parent
    That darn liberal media (none / 0) (#21)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:21:14 PM EST
    Ah, I can just see the fundies getting their little minds worked up to call the Post editoral immoral.  

    "Amendment 48 goes far beyond banning abortion and many forms of birth control. It is legal mischief and should be solidly rejected by the voters in November."

    Indeed it should.  But, will there be enough reasonable people at the polls to vote in down?  I hope so.

    Isn't Obama unsure as to when life begins? (none / 0) (#22)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:22:52 PM EST


    ay-yup! (none / 0) (#37)
    by Fabian on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:02:42 PM EST
    It's part of his beliefs or part of his pandering to the Right.

    I used to believe it was all transparent pandering.  Now, I'm really not sure.  If Obama gets the nom, I think he'll redefine what "running to the Right" means.

    Parent

    Clinton Picks Up a SD (none / 0) (#28)
    by facta non verba on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:41:36 PM EST
    a New York SD chooses Clinton

    Clinton Picks Up A Super Delegate

    Obama won her county (none / 0) (#31)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:47:46 PM EST
    I just posted this link in another thread:

    http://tinyurl.com/5df8no

    But Tompkins County -- where Stein has been the county Democratic committee chair for 21 years -- was the only county that Obama won in the New York primary in February.

    :)

    Parent

    Props to.... (none / 0) (#35)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:58:08 PM EST
    Seth Rogan and James Franco for smoking that joint on stage at the MTV Movie Awards last night.

    Regardless if it was a real spliff or not, anything that makes a mockery of our tyrannical drug laws is a public service.  Well done fellas.

    Ah (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:39:43 PM EST
    To be a fly on the wall at Chess Records in the fifties.

    Bo, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson..

    As Muddy said, the blues had a baby and they named rock'n roll.

    You said it.... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 04:54:29 PM EST
    Elvis can talk a walk as far as I'm concerned, Chuck Berry is the true king of rock-n-roll.

    Found this wild clip....Chuck w/ John and Yoko.

    The sounds not the best...fortunately Yoko keeps her cackling to a minimum.  Check out Chuck's mug at the first cackle...classic.

    And the bassplayer has this priceless "I'm jamming with Chuck Berry and John Lennon!!" face going at one point.

    Parent

    Good one kdog (none / 0) (#43)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:23:06 PM EST
    I remember that. Lennon agreed to co-host the Mike Douglass show (Mike had a different co-host every week), on the condition that he could pick quests. Mikes big target audience at the time was middle class house wives, so the week made for alot of surreal, unintentional hilarity, with Mike looking alot of the time like the original inventor of the deer-in-the-headlights expression and probobly stressing out worrying that The Weathermen were going to show up at any moment.

    I remember Ralph Nadar coming on, but dont remember any of the other quests but Chuck.

    Parent

    Wild.... (none / 0) (#46)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:29:29 PM EST
    I didn't know all that jondee...good stuff.

    I remember seeing clips of Lennon co-hosting a talk show and flipping the squares' lids...didn't know he jammed with the true king.  Very cool.

    Parent

    Flipping the squares lids... (none / 0) (#54)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:11:02 PM EST
    ...still as much fun today as it was back then!

    I didn't know you were a drummer too, kdog.  That might explain a lot.  I actually studied under Buddy Rich as a youngster.

    Parent

    Get out.... (none / 0) (#55)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:35:53 PM EST
    You'd probably put me to shame Mile....I couldn't keep up with Buddy Rich for 2 seconds.

    I studied under Larry Mullen Jr. via my walkman, much to my parents dismay...Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day over and over and over again.

    Parent

    Doubtful... (none / 0) (#57)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:00:30 PM EST
    ...that was a loooong time ago and I'm pretty rusty these days.  Don't even have a kit anymore--too busy staying alive.  

    It does take some special parents to raise a would-be drummer.  Not only do we have an odd way of looking at things, but we're loud too...

    Parent

    So sad... (none / 0) (#44)
    by mrjerbub on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:25:26 PM EST
    I'm going to have one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer in his honor.

    ooops. (none / 0) (#47)
    by mrjerbub on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:31:28 PM EST
    John Lee Hooker wrote that song.

    Parent
    My mother (none / 0) (#45)
    by kayla on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:26:45 PM EST
    grew up with Bo.  She's about 15 years younger, but she remembers him performing on his porch back in MS  years ago, when he was just a teen.

    Olbermann doesn't pay taxes! (none / 0) (#51)
    by cmugirl on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:58:02 PM EST

    LINK

    "June 2, 2008 -- PROFESSIONAL angry person Keith Olbermann favors tax-and-spend liberals, but he didn't pay his own taxes. OlbermannWatch.com reports that New York state has issued a tax warrant or judgment against the MSNBC host for $2,269.50 in back taxes owed by his personal corporation, Olbermann Broadcasting Empire Inc. Asked about the delinquency the other night by journalist Evan Gahr, the otherwise loquacious Olbermann uttered nary a word as he scurried into Trump Palace, where he bought condo apartment 40B last year, according to public records. "This was a bookkeeping disagreement between Keith's accountants and the state which was resolved months ago," an MSNBC spokesman told Page Six. Gahr was surprised to see Olbermann on foot. "Is the belt-tightening so severe at NBC that the peacock network can't afford a car to take Olbermann home?" he wondered. "If so, there's a bright side for Olbermann: Nobody can call him a limousine liberal.""

    "June 2, 2008 -- PROFESSIONAL angry person Keith Olbermann favors tax-and-spend liberals, but he didn't pay his own taxes. OlbermannWatch.com reports that New York state has issued a tax warrant or judgment against the MSNBC host for $2,269.50 in back taxes owed by his personal corporation, Olbermann Broadcasting Empire Inc. Asked about the delinquency the other night by journalist Evan Gahr, the otherwise loquacious Olbermann uttered nary a word as he scurried into Trump Palace, where he bought condo apartment 40B last year, according to public records. "This was a bookkeeping disagreement between Keith's accountants and the state which was resolved months ago," an MSNBC spokesman told Page Six. Gahr was surprised to see Olbermann on foot. "Is the belt-tightening so severe at NBC that the peacock network can't afford a car to take Olbermann home?" he wondered. "If so, there's a bright side for Olbermann: Nobody can call him a limousine liberal.""

    Sorry about the double post (none / 0) (#52)
    by cmugirl on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:58:57 PM EST


    Parent
    Sorry cmu.... (none / 0) (#53)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:02:48 PM EST
    If the IRS came after Charles Manson..I'd have to side with Manson:)

    Not paying his taxes makes me sympathetic to Ol' O'Reilly Left:)

    Parent

    Lou Dobbs chewing out Katz (none / 0) (#56)
    by waldenpond on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:52:12 PM EST
    Crunchy.... showing a Repub talking about how the Dems have slapped the voters in the face and they will make sure the voters remember it in Nov.

    Now on- R& B members: Reiley (Clinton supporter) and Katz (Obama supporter) on Lou Dobbs.  You'll want to see that clip.  He was calling them out on disenfranchising voters, showing McAuliffe (sp) clip about taking votes and delegates from Clinton and giving them to Obama.. good stuff, called Katz out big time on the no re-vote, Katz brought up the money and Dobbs called him out on it-saying money was made available.  end
    segment

    Next segment- R&B
    Zimmerman: wasn't there watched= appalled, scandalous.  Dobbs: you're candidate should appeal to credentials! Zimmerman: unity... Dobbs: disenfranchise as a movement to unity?!  Goodwin: screwed up, reap what they sow, vote McCain or stay home.  Rollins: helps McCain  Zimmerman: did best the could Dobbs: oh come on!! they soiled the Democratic process, every vote counts

    on to discuss the war and the impact of Iraq progress on Dem chances.

    Great stuff... watch the clips if you get a chance.

    RBC members should be ashamed (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Step Beyond on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:13:34 PM EST
    I know we have a long summer/fall of this ahead of us. Can hardly wait to see the ads. That the RBC members could or would not see the reaction coming is beyond comprehension.

    One of the moments that sticks with me from their meeting was one RBC member saying if she knew then what she knows now she would have voted differently. No facts have changed during that time. So either she didn't bother to learn the facts before voting last time or she is only referring to people noticing that the Dems disenfranchised voters. I don't know which is more sad.

    Parent

    R.I.P. Bo Diddley (none / 0) (#59)
    by calvin on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 09:42:56 PM EST
    Wow!  Bo Diddley!  I saw him in May 1970 at the George Washington University. All memories are a little fuzzy from that time but there was a demonstration on the Mall about the Kent State/Jacksonville shootings and against the Vietnam War. I remember sitting under the stage and passing cokes (the soda!) up to Jane Fonda and Dave Dellinger, who were featured speakers.

    After the demonstration, my friends and I went back to GW and went to a free concert -- Bo Didley and Jerry Lee Lewis in Lisner Auditorium. There were seven of us sitting third row center when the concert started but Bo put on a show for 10,000. He has defined professionalism for me ever since. After about 30 minutes the auditorium was filled but those opening minutes were magical for me.

    After the show we went to have sandwichs in the (at the time, new) student center.  Allen Ginsburg was sitting at the next table reading the cartoons in the Washington Post. Funny!

    We heard some explosions and all walked out onto a balconey where we could see cars burning in the street and a line of police advancing on the student center shooting tear gas into the street. While Ginsburg stood there with his arms raised chanting "Om," my friends and I took off.  Some went to the student radio station which didn't have any windows and I parked myself in a girls' dorm with windows overlooking the campus so I could call in reports to the radio station.

    Meanwhile, Bo Didley was giving a second concert which went on hour-after-hour so the students inside wouldn't find themselves walking out into a police riot. In the end, although the students tried to leave peacefully, the police decided to teargas and club them anyway. Quite a view from the girls' dorm.

    Fun and games in the 1970s. Everytime I hear an Obama true-believer tell me I'm a "low information" older voter, I'm tempted to tell them that the world existed before yesterday.  It wouldn't do any good though.

    R.l.P. Bo Diddley | 58 comments (58 topical)

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