| Bo Diddley in the Spotlight | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1960 | |||
| Recorded | September, 1959 - April, 1960 | |||
| Studio | Chicago, IL | |||
| Genre | Rhythm and Blues | |||
| Length | 35:47 | |||
| Label | Checker LP-2976 | |||
| Producer | Leonard Chess, Phil Chess | |||
| Bo Diddley chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bo Diddley in the Spotlight is the fourth album by rhythm and blues musician Bo Diddley, recorded in 1959-60 and released on the Checker label. [1] [2] The album contains the hit single "Road Runner".
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [5] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [6] |
AllMusic's Bruce Eder wrote that "there are surprises from these 1960-vintage recordings ... that make this record more than worthwhile." [3]
All tracks by Ellas McDaniel
Ellas McDaniel, known as Bo Diddley, was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, George Thorogood, and the Clash.
William James Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He was proficient in playing both the upright bass and the guitar, and sang with a distinctive voice, but he is perhaps best known as one of the most prolific songwriters of his time. Next to Muddy Waters, Dixon is recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues.
Checker Records is an inactive record label that was started in 1952 as a subsidiary of Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois. The label was founded by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, who ran the label until they sold it to General Recorded Tape (GRT) in 1969, shortly before Leonard's death.
"Hey! Bo Diddley" is Bo Diddley's eighth single released by Checker Records. The single's B side was "Mona".
"Road Runner" is a 12-bar blues song performed by American rock and roll performer Bo Diddley, originally released as a single by Checker Records in January 1960, and later released on the LP record Bo Diddley in the Spotlight. The song reached #20 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart, and #75 on the Hot 100. The song has since been recorded by many artists.
Have Guitar Will Travel is the third studio album by rock and roll pioneer and blues icon Bo Diddley. It was released on the Checker Records label in 1960.
Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley released in December 1960 by Checker Records. The album title comes from the album's first track called "Gunslinger" and the cover art has Bo Diddley dressed in Western-style clothing. The songs for Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger were recorded from October 1959 to February 1960. Several tracks of interest are "Sixteen Tons" which Bo was supposed to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, the title track, and "Diddling".
"Pretty Thing" is a 1955 song written by Willie Dixon and performed by Bo Diddley. The song was Diddley's third single release through Checker Records after "Diddley Daddy". In 1963, the song was released in the United Kingdom where it became Diddley's first of only two songs appearing on the UK Singles Chart, the other single being "Hey Good Lookin'".
"You Don't Love Me" is a rhythm and blues-influenced blues song recorded by American musician Willie Cobbs in 1960. Adapted from Bo Diddley's 1955 song "She's Fine She's Mine", it is Cobbs' best-known song and features a guitar figure and melody that has appealed to musicians in several genres.
Say No to the Devil is an album by blues musician Reverend Gary Davis recorded in 1961 and released on the Bluesville label in August 1962.
The London Bo Diddley Sessions is the 17th studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley recorded in 1973 and released on the Chess label.
Bo Diddley Is a Lover is the sixth album by blues musician Bo Diddley recorded in 1961 and released on the Checker label.
Bo Diddley's a Twister is the seventh studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley released on the Checker label in 1962.
Bo Diddley & Company is the ninth studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley, released on the Checker label in late 1962.
Surfin' with Bo Diddley is the tenth studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley released on the Checker label in 1963.
Hey! Good Lookin' is the eleventh studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley released on the Checker label in 1965.
The Super Super Blues Band is an album by blues musicians Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley released on the Checker label in 1968.
Another Dimension is the 15th studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley recorded in 1971 and released by the Chess label.
Where It All Began is the 16th studio album album by blues musician Bo Diddley released by the Chess label in 1972.
Big Bad Bo is the 18th studio album by blues musician Bo Diddley released by the Chess label in 1974.
