I remember when I started playing guitar in middle school, I didn’t really know much about Bo Diddley. I used to play music from bands like Metallica and Pantera. It wasn’t until I started to learn blues guitar that I learned about Bo Diddley. Many people believe that Bo Diddley invented rock guitar. I think that he was very innovative, but I am not sure If he invented rock guitar.
One thing I would say about Bo Diddley that was funny was that he used to play his guitar and dance. When he danced he would jump around and he would look so silly. I think that it was the expressive part of a guitar player coming out of him. He just had the music running though his veins. I really enjoy Bo Diddley’s guitar playing skills, and I am deeply saddened to hear that such an amazing rock guitar player has passed away today.
Bo Diddley had to go through a lot in the last century. It was not easy growing up as a black guitar player. For somebody that invented rock guitar, he was probably criticized a lot from the press. I think that we all owe black guitar players for teaching us the incredible blues and jazz guitar scales. I am amazed when I think about all of the black musicians that have innovated music. It is like they are one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to that. The guitar was one of the greatest blues instruments, even though it wasn’t as expressive as the saxophone, the guitar is loved by everyone. I appreciate all of the things that Bo Diddley has taught us about guitar. Thank You, and RIP.
