Bo Diddley, one of the pioneers of rock and roll, died of heart failure at his home in Archer, FL at the age of 79. His death stems from complications from a heart attack he suffered last August.

Born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, MS on December 30, 1928, Diddley helped lay the groundwork for the rock and roll sound with his so-called “Bo Diddley beat.” His work inspired the likes of Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones and the Strangeloves, earning him the nickname The Originator.

Scoring his first hit in 1955 with "Bo Diddley"/"I'm a Man," Diddley went on to record R & B and early rock and roll sing-a-longs such as "Mona," "You Don't Love Me," "Diddley Daddy," "Pretty Thing," "Road Runner" and "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover" for the influential Chess label. Like his chief rival Chuck Berry, his commercial success started to wane in the 1960s, though Diddley’s distinctive guitar style influenced future generations of rock and garage-rock musicians. Diddley’s influence is particularly strong overseas, where musicians have emulated his blues and gospel form of rock and roll since the British Invasion. In 1963, he toured with the Everly Brothers, Little Richard and a then-unknown Rolling Stones, forging a deep connection with the World’s Most Famous Rock and Roll Band. In addition to several opening and guest spots with the Stones over the years, later-day guitarist Ronnie Wood hit the road with Diddley for a high-profile tour in the 1980s. He also toured with punk/ska legends The Clash in 1979.

Closer to home, Diddley sat in with The Grateful Dead for his own  "Bo Diddley,"  "I'm a Man (Mannish Boy)," "I've Seen Them All” and "Mona" at New York’s Academy of Music on March 25, 1972. Highlights from the show can be found on the live album Dick’s Picks 30. He continued to connect with younger generations thanks to an appearance in the feature film Trading Places and a shoe commercial with pro athlete Bo Jackson.

Despite a battle with diabetes, Diddley toured regularly through 2006. He also rediscovered Christianity and was rumored to record a set of gospel songs before suffering a stroke last spring.

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