June 2, 2008 23:57

Grateful Dead man remembers Bo Diddley

'He influenced the Beatles and the Rolling Stones' says Mickey Hart

Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, who once played drums with Bo Diddley, paid tribute to the legendary guitarist who died today (June 2) of heart failure.

Hart told NME.COM that the defining 'Bo Diddley-beat' was "the bedrock for thousands of bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, and countless others."

"His slashing rhythm guitar brought the most powerful rhythms from west Africa into rock 'n roll," said Hart.

"When I was 14 years old I happened to wander into a club and have the opportunity to play my first public performance with the master. It seems his drummer was late and asked if there was drummer in the house. That moment will always be with me."

Hart added, "Rock the heavens, Mr Diddley, like only you can."

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.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
[url="/about"] Find out more about NME.[/url]