If you haven?t heard of Bo Diddley yet, head over to iTunes and (legally) download a few of his songs. But why should you care about a musician who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and given a lifetime achievement Grammy Award in 1998?
Because the singer-songwriter-guitarist is often referred to as BThe OriginatorC of rock 'n? roll. He?s also arguably Alachua County?s most famous resident. But he also had a heart attack Tuesday.
The possibility of losing not only one of the country?s most influential musicians but also a Gainesville legend is daunting. But let?s look at the brighter side and take this opportunity to support local musicians. After all, Bo was once just a kid with a guitar playing in dives - and eventually on BThe Ed Sullivan Show.C
Before the time of YouTube and podcasts, before programmed boy bands and you-pick-the-least-sucky-singer talent competitions, bands had to Bget discoveredC a different way.
It took performing in hot, sweaty, smoky clubs all night and rehearsing all day. It took talent. It took hard work.
It took original music.
It took hitting the streets, papering neighborhoods with fliers. It took word-of-mouth.
Kind of like what we see going on around Gainesville now. Believe it or not, we have some great local bands you can see for ,5 at most bars. No need to spend ,60 for a concert at the O?Connell Center when for that same price, you could get a handful of friends in the door and buy the first round of beers.
With concerts almost every night of the week in our fair city, it won?t be hard to discover a band that appeals to you.
And who knows, you may discover the Next Big Thing. How cool would it be to say one day, BI knew that band back in the day, before it made it bigC?
