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This historical marker is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail and honors Ellas Bates McDaniel, better known by his stage name, Bo Diddley. Born in Magnolia, in 1928, Bo Didley's influential career leads many music historians to include his name among those who shaped the development of rock’n’roll. Diddley’s guitar style became part of the rock’n’roll vocabulary, influencing guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Pete Townshend. His last public performance occurred at the dedication of this marker in 2007. The marker is located near the McComb Railroad Museum in McComb, Mississippi.


The Bo Diddley Mississippi Blues Trail Marker is located near the McComb Railroad Museum

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Although he is best known as the "founder of rock n roll," Bo Diddley was also a boxer.

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Born near Magnolia, south of McComb, Ellas Bates McDaniel, better known by his stage name, Bo Diddley, is considered to be one of the most influential (and unconventional) artists in the history of American popular music. Diddley took up the violin at a young age, and by age 12 received his first guitar. Diddley’s unique approach to guitar was influenced by imitating the sound of a bow drawing across a violin. To help achieve his unique sound, Diddley rebuilt guitar amplifiers and constructed a tremolo unit out of a clock spring and spare car parts. Like many early blues artists, Diddley began playing for tips, eventually moving into clubs to play with other blues artists, such as Jody Williams and Billy Boyd Arnold.

Diddley’s first big hit was I’m A Man, a declaration of pride at a time when whites derogatorily referred to an African American man as “boy.” Bo Diddley was among the few African American artists to achieve crossover success in the 1950’s rock’n’roll market. Diddley’s guitar style became part of the rock’n’roll vocabulary, influencing guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Pete Townshend. In addition to being a member of the Blues, Rock and Roll, and Rockabilly Halls of Fame, Diddley received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Bo Diddley, Mississippi Blues Trail. Accessed June 26th 2021. http://msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/bo-diddley.

Stribling, Wilson. Bo Diddley honored in his hometown of McComb, WLBT News. November 2nd 2015. Accessed June 26th 2021. https://www.wlbt.com/story/30410503/flashback-2007-bo-diddly-honored-in-his-hometown-of-mccomb/.

Larsen, Julia. Bo Diddley, Black Past. June 29th 2008. Accessed June 26th 2021. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.Blackpast.org/african-american-history/diddley-bo-1928-2008/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1626287880168000&usg=AOvVaw0tTvTTBTiW4-5oIG7BTjy7.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://thesouthlandmusicline.com/mississippi-blues-trail-series/mississippi-blues-trail-series-mccomb-summit-street-and-bo-diddley/

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/diddley-bo-1928-2008/