(CNN) — Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley died Monday, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Archer, Florida, a family spokeswoman said.
Bo Diddley performs April 1, 2007, at a blues festival in Perth, Australia.
Diddley died of heart failure, his family said.
The world-renowned guitarist and vocalist, who was known for his hybrid hits that melded rock and blues, was 79.
Tracks like “Who Do You Love?” and “Before You Accuse Me” became synonymous with Diddley.
His signature beat laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll for decades. The rhythm on tracks such as “Who Do You Love?” and “Bo Diddley” became known as the “Bo Diddley” beat.
“This distinctive, African-based 5/4 rhythm pattern (which goes bomp-bomp-bomp bomp-bomp) was picked up from Diddley by other artists and has been a distinctive and recurring element in rock ‘n’ roll through the decades,” according to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Diddley was a contemporary of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Elvis Presley.
Diddley was born Ellas Bates McDaniel in McComb, Mississippi. He was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in January 1987.
