Bo Diddley, the iconic rhythm and blues singer, guitarist and musician, has died at 79. He died on June 2, 2008, in Archer, Fla. Diddley was born Ellas Otha Bates on December 30, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi. He moved to Chicago as a teenager, where his love of music was first realized. His unique sound, a combination of blues and rhythm and blues, won him acclaim from fans around the world. He was responsible for pioneering and popularizing a new level of sound for the rhythm and blues genre. He rose to fame in the 1950s with singles like “Bo Diddley”, “Who Do You Love?”, and others. His guitar playing and singing style became the foundations of rock and roll and influenced countless other genres and artists. He is credited with introducing the world to such styles as funk, ska, reggae, hip-hop, and even rap. Many of his songs have been covered by other artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1991. Diddley had 37 singles chart on the Billboard charts, notably the debut single, “Bo Diddley”. He was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1998. He had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995 and was included in the Rock Walk of Fame at Guitar Center in 2005. His legacy will live on, and he will be remembered as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.