Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Bo Diddley made big impression on world, but, in Peralta, he was plain Ellas McDaniel

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Even before he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award at the 1999 Grammy awards, Bo Diddley called Valencia County home — at least for a few years.

Diddley died Monday at the age of 79 at his home in Florida. Known around the world for his rhythmic guitar tunes such as "Bo Diddley," "Who Do You Love?," "Road Runner" and "Mona," Diddley entertained his fans for nearly 60 years.

Diddley, whose real name was Ellas McDaniel, moved to Peralta in 1971 from California after making a movie in the state with Dennis Hopper. In an interview with the News-Bulletin in September 1971, Diddley said that he "was very impressed with the people, the climate and the beautiful scenery."

He also said at the time that he was planning on building a recording studio in Bosque Farms so he will be able to help some of the local talent.

Diddley, his then-wife, Kay, and their children Terri, Tammy and Anthony made Peralta their home for about seven years before leaving Valencia County and the state. But while they were here, they made friends and helped their community.

Sharon Eastman, former mayor of Bosque Farms, said she got to know Diddley's family when she lived in Peralta. She said her children were in 4-H with his daughters and she was able to get to know Kay.

"They (the children) ran around with my kids," Eastman said. "We occasionally went over to their house, but he (Diddley) was almost always practicing (his music) or busy. But they all seemed happy here."

Even though Diddley was very busy and on the road a lot, he did find time to give back to the community. In May 1975, Diddley performed two live concerts at two Los Lunas schools to raise money for parent-teacher clubs.

Two months earlier, Diddley had donated a 1973 Dodge car to the Eastern Valencia County Community Patrol, which was a group of commissioned volunteers who assisted the sheriff's department and state police, according to an article in the News-Bulletin. Not only did Diddley donate the vehicle, but he also became a member of the group.

Bob Fisher, the first mayor of Bosque Farms and also a member of the Eastern Valencia County Community Patrol, said he remembers meeting Diddley at a few of their meetings.

"He believed in police protection and even bought a police vehicle for us to use," Fisher said. "Back then, we patrolled all the way down to North El Cerro Loop."

Fisher, who now lives in Albuquerque, said he remembers that Diddley — who was known to his neighbors and friends in the area as simply Ellas McDaniel — only volunteered to patrol a few times because of his busy schedule.

"He always wore his stupid looking hat and was always strumming on his string guitar," Fisher said. "I really didn't know him that well, but he never acted as a rich person — he was just a normal person.

"I'm not a rock and roll fan, so I didn't have any reaction when I heard he died other than 'jeez, we lost a nice guy.'"

Lawrence Romero, who was first elected sheriff in 1976, also remembers Diddley.

"I was in my 30s and a really big rock and roll fan," Romero said. "And this guy was a big star. I remember his house had gold records all over the place — he was a big thing, and it was just awesome to talk to him. His talking was music, and he had a beat to his talking."

Romero said when he commissioned Diddley as a reserve officer for the EVCCP, he knew that this man was much more than just a famous musician.

"He just wanted to give back to the community. He was quite an attraction to the area," said Romero, who is now the chief of police in Socorro. "Everyone knew Bo Diddley. He was gone a lot, but I think he just wanted to help out, and he had the money to do it. He was one heck of a guy. I was proud that I got to meet him. We weren't buddies or anything, but I thought a lot of him. He was our local Elvis."

In another News-Bulletin article in May 1975, Diddley said he loved living in Peralta saying, "Everything's just kinda groovy here, you know? Everybody's not running and ripping knocking each other down."

Despite owning 11 show and quarter horses, eight cows and several chickens, Diddley told the News-Bulletin that he really wasn't into ranching. He very seldom rode, but said he enjoyed owning horses.

As for his legacy, Diddley said in 1975 that he wanted to be recognized for his talent, even though many in the industry wouldn't grant him that.

"The American people do not recognize their own talent that's right under their noses," Diddley said. "My problem was, in the beginning, I was running around opening up doors and everyone run through it and I ended up back there holding the knob."

One of the more interesting comments Diddley made in the interview was his opinion of the Beatles.

"I think the Beatles were an overrated fad," he said. "They were made the same way Colonel Parker made Elvis Presley. They shoved them dudes down everybody's throat and turned me off. In this country, in order to get recognized, you gotta die."

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