June 3, 2008 0:38

George Thorogood speaks about Bo Diddley's impact

Guitarist remembers his friend and influence

George Thorogood remembered Bo Diddley, his friend and influence who died of heart failure today (June 2).

The singer/guitarist, who covered Diddley's 'Who Do You Love' and name-checks him in one of his songs, told NME.COM that he was turned on to Diddley by The Rolling Stones.

“I first heard Bo Diddley in 1966," said Thorogood. "I knew The Rolling Stones were big on this guy and I got a copy of Bo Diddley’s '16 All-Time Greatest Hits' and flipped over it, and played it constantly."

Thorogood said that he still performs his cover of 'Who Do You Love', as well as 'Ride On Josephine', which was heavily influenced by the 'Bo Diddley beat'.

"I first met him in 1979, and as years went on we got closer and closer," he said. "It’s an honour to be associated with his great music. I just had ‘Hand Jive’ on last night. It goes, ’A doctor, a lawyer and an indian chief/They all dig that Diddley beat.’ That says it all.”

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.
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