Bo Diddley overcame a faulty microphone and a wandering spotlight in 2 1/2 hour performance at Siena College’s Gibbons Hall.

Negro Singer Headlines R’n’R Show

By Nick Schmitt / Siena News, Vol. XXVI, No. 16.

If You Don’t Get the Beat, You’ll Be Out in the Street

– Bo Diddley

A tambourine, a guy named Green, and a guitar that talks were the stars of the show last Friday night as Bo Diddley and screamers invaded Gibbons’ Hall for two and a half hours of shout. “If you don’t get the beat, you’ll be out in the street,” said Bo, and the evening was officially under way.

Under a constant barrage of hand clapping, chair banging, and monkey dancing, Bo and his crew performed exceptionally well – blaring out such old favorites as, “Bo Diddley,” “Bring It On Home” and the like. Bo put on a show that can be called worthy of the rock ‘n roll tradition. Of course very little of what was sung could be understood, but this only served to enhance the authenticity of the performance.

Educated Guitar

“Let’s done it one more once” said Bo as he proceeded to prove that he is the undisputed owner of the world’s most educated guitar. A bevy of sound effects, ranging from an unoiled vertebra to a nylon stretch kneecap proved to be the outstanding highlight of the evening’s achievements.

Jerome Green, a jumpy, but dignified percussionist, added much to the artistic element present with his singing maracas and his candid observations on the ability of the rather frisky audience to clap their hands in “O Natural.” Jerome, incidentally, during an interview at the intermission, expressed a bit of annoyance at the faulty publicity which referred to him as Jerome Queen, drummer.

Troubles!

A bit of a technical difficulty was present in the form of an obstinate microphone, which Bo spent a great deal of his time trying to correct. There also was a slight problem on the part of the lighting man, as to just where the spotlight should be on several different occasions. At one point the spot was on Bo while Miss Cookie Valtaze, a young, mellow voiced up-and-comer, was valiantly singing away in the dark. However this shortcoming was understandable, considering the already mentioned fact that it was difficult at any point to discern exactly who was singing and what was being sung.

The “Dutchesses”, a group which which was formed solely for the purpose of accompanying Bo Diddley, proved capable of swinging with the best of the swingers. Led by the astute Professor Green, they had young Edell Robinson on drums and “Jesse” at bass.

On the whole, the performance was gratifying, to say the least. And anyone interested in pursuing the illustrious Mr. Diddley’s career may be pleased to learn of the forming of Bo’s own recording company, BOKAY RECORDS. Bo also invites any and all “original rock’n’roll’ fans to write him at: Bo Diddley, 812 Ritten House N.W. Washington, D.C. “Tell anybody to write,” says Bo. “Who knows, I might even send him a record or something.”