Diddley, Bo (Ellas Bates McDaniel)

1928 – He was born on the 30th day of December this year in McComb, Mississippi.

1955 – He was the first African-American to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.

1972 – He played with The Grateful Dead at the Academy of Music in New York City. This concert was released for the Dead's Dick's Picks live album series as Volume 30.

1986 - He was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association's Hall of Fame.

1996 - He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

1998 – He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from his 1955 recording of his song "Bo Diddley" inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as a recording of lasting qualitative or historical significance.

2002 - He received a Pioneer in Entertainment Award from the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters and a Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Icon Award in recognition of his many contributions to contemporary music.

2003 - Tribute was paid to him in the United States House of Representatives by Hon. John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, who described him as "one of the true pioneers of rock and roll, who has influenced generations".

2004 - Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #20 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

2005 – He celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with successful tours of Australia and Europe and with coast-to-coast shows across North America.

2006 – He participated as the headliner of a grass roots organized fundraiser concert, to benefit the town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which was devastated by the Hurricane Katrina.