Bo Diddley died today (June 2), it has been announced.
A spokesperson confirmed that the guitar legend has passed away due to heart failure. He was 79.
The rock 'n' roll pioneer, famed for his homemade square guitar, suffered a stroke in May 2007 while touring in Iowa, which was followed by a heart attack in August the same year.
Doctors said the stroke had affected his ability to speak and he was convalescing in Florida when he died.
Diddley was born Otha Ellas Bates (and was later known as Ellas McDaniel) on 28 December 1928 in McComb, Mississippi.
Bo Diddley first came to prominence in 1955 when he topped rhythm and Blues charts with the track 'Bo Diddley', while some of his other hits included 'Who Do You Love', 'Before You Accuse Me' and 'Mona'.
Check out Bo Diddley's greatest Youtube video clips on the NME Office Blog now.
For more on Bo Diddley and a biography visit Bo-diddley.com or check out Bo Diddley's Wikipedia entry.
Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987.
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