In 1959, rock pioneer Bo Diddley made a surprising move from Chicago to Washington, D.C., a decision that would shape the local music scene in unexpected ways. Known for his signature beat, homemade guitars, and magnetic stage presence, Bo left an indelible mark on D.C.’s music history. But why leave Chicago for the capital? And what legacy did he build here?
In this episode, Philip Basnight, Alex Vidales, and special guest John Kelly—longtime Washington Post columnist and drummer for The Airport 77s—dive into the D.C. years of Bo Diddley’s career. We’ll explore his influence on local musicians, his infamous feud with Ed Sullivan, and the overlooked brilliance of Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger. Grab your headphones, settle in, and let’s get rocking!
Go Further:
Bo Diddley’s Best Albums - Louder Sound
Bo Diddley on The Ed Sullivan Show (1955)
Spinning Blues Into Gold by Nadine Cohodas
Follow Us:
Social Media: @dcrockpod
Email us your thoughts or questions: dcrockpod@gmail.com
Philip Basnight - Broke Royals
Alex Vidales - StageCraft
John Kelly - The Airport 77s
Artwork by Rebecca Basnight
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.