Pioneering rhythm and blues guitarist and songwriter Bo Diddley died Monday after having battled for months with problems with his heart, his agent told US media. He was 79.
Diddley was hospitalized last year after a heart attack and later had a stent implanted to improve blood flow to his heart. He had also suffered a series of seizures and had been recovering at his home in Archer, southern Florida, when he died, Rolling Stone magazine reported, citing a spokesperson.
Known as "The Originator" of rock and roll, Diddley is cited as a key transitional figure of blues into rock and a pioneer of the rock guitar style who influenced such other greats as Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
His dark glasses and signature box-shaped guitars became icons in the music industry after he topped the rhythm and blues charts in 1955 with "Bo Diddley."
Long live Bo!
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