Accessibility links
Bo Diddley Bo Diddley artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Bo Diddley

The Black Innovators Of Rock And Roll: Part 1

Jimi Hendrix performs onstage at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 18, 1967 in Monterey, California. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Black Innovators Of Rock And Roll: Part 1

WXPN

To celebrate Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is digging deep into the Black Innovators of Rock and Roll throughout February.

Black Innovators of Rock and Roll Pt 1 on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1077976189/1077978545" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Cuban Roots Of Rock And Roll

Chuck Berry is one of the early rock and roll artists who were inspired by Latin music. Terry Fincher/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Terry Fincher/Getty Images

Alt.Latino

The Cuban Roots Of Rock And Roll

Can you hear the cha-cha-cha in "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"? Or the mambo in "What I'd Say"? Dive into early rock and roll's Cuban DNA.

The Cuban Roots Of Rock And Roll

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/762678503/762709525" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Fried Neckbones With Sazón: An Ode To Latin Soul

Kali Uchis is one of Alt.Latino's favorite young artists. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

Alt.Latino

Fried Neckbones With Sazón: An Ode To Latin Soul

Alt.Latino spins essential Latin soul records and showcases new artists who are continuing the tradition in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Miami and points beyond.

Fried Neckbones With Sazón: An Ode To Latin Soul

Listen · 44:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/398252933/398506093" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

Bo Diddley Influencing Generations of Rockers

Blues legend Bo Diddley died yesterday at the age of 79, but his musical legacy lives on. Farai Chideya talks with Rob Fields, a music marketing executive and black rock blogger, about the musicians Diddley influenced and the current state of black rock and roll.

Bo Diddley Influencing Generations of Rockers

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91113946/91113926" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Review

Music Reviews

Diddley's Beat Ba-bomps into the 21st Century

The blues icon died Monday at 79, but his signature sound marches on. The "Bo Diddley beat" powers acts from the Rolling Stones to the White Stripes. Musicologist Ned Sublette celebrates Diddley's infectious, clave-inflected stomp.

Diddley's Beat Ba-bomps into the 21st Century

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91097977/91097935" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music News

Rock Pioneer Bo Diddley Dies at 79

One of the fathers of rock 'n' roll, Bo Diddley was born Ellas Bates in Mississippi and grew up in Chicago, where he played guitar on street corners before being discovered by Chess Records. Diddley leaves behind a sound that helped build a musical movement.

Rock Pioneer Bo Diddley Dies at 79

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14035992/91090040" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music Interviews

Bo Diddley, Architect of Rock, Dies

Rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley died today at the age of 79. He created a guitar sound that helped turn rhythm and blues into rock. Farai Chideya reflects on the life of one of rock's founding fathers.

Bo Diddley, Architect of Rock, Dies

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91078064/91078049" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Musicians in Their Own Words

Bo Diddley's Unique Rhythm Continues to Inspire

Bo Diddley created a trademark rhythm that has become a cornerstone of rock 'n' roll. His music has inspired the songs of top rock artists from Buddy Holly to U2, as well as numerous covers.

Bo Diddley's Unique Rhythm Continues to Inspire

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7496086/8991551" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org