First Bo Diddley ‘The Originator’ Bobbleheads Unveiled

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobbleheads featuring Bo Diddley, the influential American rock & roll singer, guitarist, and songwriter who was known as “The Originator” because of the key role he played in the transition from blues music to rock & roll. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Bo Diddley’s estate.

The collection features three bobbleheads of Bo Diddley all with his signature rectangular guitar. The first bobblehead features a young Bo Diddley standing with his guitar in a red suit. The second features an older Diddley wearing his signature hat and playing his guitar. The last bobblehead features Diddley riding his custom motorcycle and waving with his guitar strapped around his shoulder. The bobbleheads, which are individually numbered to 2,024, are currently available exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in January, are $30 for the Standing, $35 for the Sitting and $40 for the Motorcycle Bobblehead or $100 for the set of three, plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Born Ellas Otha Bates on December 30th, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi, Diddley was raised mostly in Chicago where he first started playing the guitar after hearing bluesman John Lee Hooker. In 1951, Diddley landed a regular spot at the 708 Club on Chicago’s south side, with a repertoire influenced by Hooker, Muddy Waters, and band leader Louis Jordan. Diddley’s use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent hambone rhythm, is a cornerstone of hip hop, rock, and pop music. He invented many special effects and other innovations in tone and attack. Diddley’s trademark instrument was the rectangular-bodied Gretsch guitar, nicknamed “The Twang Machine,” a guitar that he developed himself around 1958 and wielded in thousands of concerts over the years.

Influencing a host of legendary acts including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, George Thorogood, and The Clash, Diddley introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and hard-edged guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs. His top hits were “Who Do You Love?” “Mona” and “I’m a Man.” In recognition of his achievements, Diddley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2017. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Diddley died of heart failure at the age of 79 on June 2nd, 2008. Shortly before he died, the Gospel song “Walk Around Heaven” was sung at his bedside. When it was done, he opened his eyes, gave a thumbs up and said his last words: “Wow! I’m going to heaven!”

“We’re excited to unveil the first bobbleheads of the legendary Bo Diddley as a tribute to the remarkable and groundbreaking musician,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “As one of the most influential performers of rock music’s early period, these bobbleheads are sure to be a must-have for music fans everywhere.”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1^st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1^st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.