Advertisement

Music

BO DIDDLEY

Rating: NNNNN


Innovative 78-year-old rock ‘n’ roll legend, whose show at the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne) Tuesday (May 22) has now been CANCELLED due to illness. Check out www.ticketweb.ca or 1-888-222-6608 for further details.

What record changed your life?

None. I’m the originator.

How did you get the idea to incorporate maracas in your sound?

We didn’t have no drummer, and I thought the maracas had a good feel and might work if they were used properly to keep the rhythm. But if you don’t know how to do that, you’re just shaking baby rattles.

What inspired you to create the first rectangular guitar?

That’s a long story. I don’t want to get into it right now. Let’s just say I designed that guitar and I own the patent on it.

How did you come to be the first major performing artist to hire a female lead guitarist?

There were always women working in the studio and a lot of women bought records, so I thought, “Why not a woman lead guitarist?” Some people said, “But that’s a man’s job!” No, it’s the job of whoever the hell can play guitar best!

Although it’s not well known, you studied classical violin for 12 years in your younger days. Any plans to perform those violin concertos you wrote more than 50 years ago?

I had to stop playing violin when my hands got too big, but right now I’m having a synthesizer built into my guitar so I can do some of my concerto shit. People will be like, “That sounds like Bo Diddley playing violin,” and others are gonna say, “Bo Diddley? Nah, it can’t be!” I’d love to hear that.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted