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Phil Picardi
St. Paul

'Bo Diddley beat' celebrates 60th anniversary

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Bo Diddley recorded his first single 60 years ago Monday. It quickly moved to the top of the R&B chart and launched his career.

The song, called "Bo Diddley," features what would become known as the "Bo Diddley beat," which has been heard throughout the history of rock and roll.

That beat is derived from the five-stroke clave rhythm, the basis for many types of Afro-Cuban music. It's believed to have originated in music traditions from Sub-Saharan Africa.