Bo Diddley

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley performs at the Colonial Theater in Keene, N.H., on Oct. 26, 2006. Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll whose distinctive rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died of heart failure after months of ill health Monday, June 2, 2008, in Florida. He was 79.

Rock 'n' roll singer and guitarist Bo Diddley jams with some of the other inductees at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee ceremony Jan. 21, 1987, in New York. At left is Smokey Robinson. The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, also had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards.

Bo Diddley holds his Grammy award for Lifetime Achievement at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 25, 1998, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. His first single, "Bo Diddley," introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as "shave and a haircut, two bits." The B side, "I'm a Man," with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard.

Blues legend B.B. King, left, performs with Bo Diddley at the second anniversary celebration of B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill Thursday, June 20, 2002, in New York. Diddley's other major songs included, "Say Man," "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover," "Shave and a Haircut," "Uncle John," "Who Do You Love?" and "The Mule."

Bo Diddley performs during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Monday, March 14, 2005, in New York. Diddley's influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. Buddy Holly borrowed the bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp rhythm for his song "Not Fade Away." The Rolling Stones' bluesy remake of that Holly song gave them their first chart single in the United States, in 1964.

Legendary musician Bo Diddley performs at B.B. King's Blues Club Aug. 2, 2006, in New York. Diddley was one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, adding reverb and tremelo effects. He even rigged some of his guitars himself. Many other artists, including the Who, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello copied aspects of Diddley's style.

Bo Diddley clowns with opera singer Leontyne Price prior to the start of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters 18th Annual Communications Awards Dinner Friday, March 8, 2002, in Washington. Diddley won attention from a new generation in 1989 when he took part in the "Bo Knows" ad campaign for Nike, built around football and baseball star Bo Jackson.

Rhythm and blues entertainer Bo Diddley records on a 125-year-old wax cylinder phonograph Sept. 17, 2003, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In the background are, left to right, Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., Rep. Mary Bono, D-Calif., John Conyers, D-Mich.

Rock 'n' roll singer and guitarist Bo Diddley doffs his hat for photographers as he arrives at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York for the second annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dinner, Jan. 21, 1987.

Rock and roll legend Ellas McDaniel, better known as Bo Diddley, left, foregoes his guitar as he and his grandson, Gary Mitchell, right, sing an inspirational rap song following a ceremony Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006, in Archer, Fla. which named Saturday "Bo Diddley Day."