Bo Diddley

From Wikipedia:

“Bo Diddley” is a song by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. It introduced the rhythm that became known as the Bo Diddley beat and topped the Billboard R&B chart for two weeks in 1955. The song is included on many of Diddley’s compilation albums including Bo Diddley (1958) and His Best (1997). Buddy Holly recorded a version that posthumously became his 2nd highest-charting single in the UK after “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”.

Composition and recording

The song is rhythmically similar to hambone, a technique of dancing and slapping various parts of the body to create a rhythm and song. Diddley’s electric guitar along with his backup musicians on maracas and drums contributed to the patted juba rhythm. This combination of rock and roll, African rhythms and guitar was an innovation and came to be known as the Bo Diddley Beat. Lyrically, it is similar to the traditional lullaby “Hush Little Baby”.

“Bo Diddley” was recorded in Chicago at his first formal session for Leonard Chess on March 2, 1955. Diddley, on guitar and vocals, was accompanied by Frank Kirkland on drums, Jerome Green on maracas, and Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica.

Charts and recognition

Checker Records released “Bo Diddley” as a single with “I’m a Man” in April 1955. The song spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, eventually becoming the tenth best-selling single of 1955 on the chart. […]

On January 29, 1969, during the “Get Back” sessions at Apple Studios, The Beatles performed a loose medley that included “Hey Little Girl,” “Cannonball,” “Not Fade Away,” and “Bo Diddley.”

Ten years later, during the 4th Buddy Holly Week, Paul McCartney sang a version of “Bo Diddley.”

Bootlegs

Live performances

“Bo Diddley” has been played in 2 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Bo Diddley” has been played

Cover versions played during the "Get Back" sessions

"Bo Diddley" was covered during The Beatles' "Get Back" sessions in January 1969. Here is the complete list of covers recorded by Paul McCartney, either alone or with other Beatles, during these sessions:

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