Bo Diddley
1928 – 2008

Bo Diddley

American guitarist (1928–2008)

boxerguitaristmusiciansinger-songwritersinger
Born
1928-12-30, Magnolia
Died
2008-06-02
Birthplace state
Mississippi

Biography

Ellas Otha Bates, known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, George Thorogood, Syd Barrett, Tom Petty, and the Clash.

Occupation

Bo Diddley is recorded as a boxer, a guitarist, a musician, a singer-songwriter, a singer and a composer, born in Mississippi (1928–2008).

Connections to Mississippi

Bo Diddley was born in Magnolia, Mississippi in 1928. Explore other notable figures from Mississippi, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Mississippi›Mississippihistory ›Historic sites in Mississippi›
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Magnolia

Bo Diddley came from Magnolia. A full Aubrey report on Magnolia pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Magnolia report
Or see a real report first

More notable figures from Mississippi

Other historical figures born in Mississippi, ranked by historical prominence.

Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
American singer and actor (1935–1977)
William Faulkner
William Faulkner
American writer (1897-1962)
Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams
American playwright (1911–1983)
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
American actor (1931–2024)
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
American blues musician (1913–1983)
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker
American blues musician (1912 or 1917–2001)
Jim Henson
Jim Henson
American puppeteer (1936–1990)

Frequently asked about Bo Diddley

Who was Bo Diddley?
Bo Diddley was American guitarist (1928–2008), born in Mississippi (1928 – 2008).
When and where was Bo Diddley born?
Bo Diddley was born on 1928-12-30 in Magnolia.
When did Bo Diddley die?
Bo died on 2008-06-02.
What was Bo Diddley known for?
Bo Diddley is recorded as a boxer, a guitarist, a musician, a singer-songwriter, a singer and a composer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report