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Bo Diddley Gets Rocking Sendoff at Funeral |
Contributed By: Ali Rachman
Created On: Sunday, 08 June 2008
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 Bo Diddley R.I.P.
For four hours, friends and relatives sang, danced and celebrated the life of the man who helped give birth to rock and roll with a signature beat that influenced Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones and many others.
As family members passed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's casket, a gospel band played his namesake song. Within moments, the crowd of several hundred began clapping in time and shouting, "Hey, Bo Diddley!"
BBC News reports that stars including Tom Petty and sent floral tributes, while Eric Burden from The Animals was there to pay tribute, saying: "I've been a fan of his since I was 16, 17 years of age. (His) was probably one of the first records I ever owned."
Addressing the mourners, grandson Gary Mitchell said: “In 1955 he used to keep the crowds rocking and rolling way before Elvis Presley.”
His manager Faith Fusillo told the family: "Please know this, because I know Diddley. As much as you loved him, he loved you more."
Bo Diddley died of heart failure last week, aged 79.
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