Well, after several months of stripping down, routine maintenance, a new paint job, as well as other tweaks and fixes, the bike is now back together.
I'm really impressed with the job Shane Duncan did on the paint job.
When the bike is inside, it looks very dark from a distance, almost black. When it's out in the sun, the texture really stands out.
This is the first submission in what I consider to be the most significant albums ever. "Go Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley was released on Chess Records, a label that also distributed works by major blues performers such as John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry.
Being a percussion guy from the start, one of the first albums to really grab my ear was Bo Diddley's "Go Bo Diddley." I feel that this album never received it's due, and should be ranked among the greatest rock 'n roll albums of all time. I remember looking at the album cover, Bo sporting the red plaid suit with matching guitar, the bowtie, and the drummer in the background with the crossed sticks and pompadour. I was always kind of drawn to the cover of the album, but when I placed the record on the Sears Silvertone record player and dropped the needle on it, I could tell it was something special. From the opening chords of "Bo Diddley", it progressed to the now legendary "I'm A Man" (which was later degraded by cheesy '80's movies like "Risky Business"), to "Before You Accuse Me" which later became a hit by Eric Clapton. This album was pretty straight forward blues, not much of the hand jive sound until you hit "Willie And Lillie." I always got a kick out of "Diddy Wah Diddy" which was nothing like the version that later became famous by Bill Murray in the movie "Stripes."
Bo later became known for his looks, he dropped the plaid jacket and picked up the leather hat, oversized glasses and trademark rectangular guitar, but his sound never changed. He's probably one of the most overlooked rock 'n roll artists who later influenced artists like the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and U2 (if you don't believe me, listen to Bo's "Hand Jive", the listen to U2's "Desire"). This album is currently out of print, but if you're lucky enough to find it, it's a great addition to your vintage rock 'n roll collection.
