RIP Bo Diddley

I'm not sure when I first heard the Bo Diddley beat, but I remember when I became aware of who he was: the American Bandstand 40th Anniversary show in 1992, when Dick Clark invited such luminaries as Donny Osmond and Lita Ford to join the master in a surprisingly tolerable version of "Hey Bo Diddley!" I guess his rhythmic authority could unite anyone.

I also remember learning about the clave and thinking, "Hey, a 3-2 clave is the Bo Diddley beat. Go fig!" Also, same revelation that New Orleans street beats = 3-2 clave = Bo Diddley. It's a small world after all.

Bo Diddley is dead. Long live Bo Diddley.