BO DIDDLEY DIES JUNE 2 MIAMI (Reuters) - Rock'n'roll pioneer Bo Diddley died on Monday at the age of 79. Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida, his management agency, Talent Consultants International, said in a statement. "One of the founding fathers of rock'n'roll has left the building he helped construct", the statement said. Diddley suffered a stroke during a concert in Iowa in May 2007 and was hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska. In August 2007 he had a heart attack in Florida. Garry Mitchell, a grandson of Diddley and one of more than 35 family members at the musician's home when he died at about 1:45 a.m. EDT (0545 GMT), said his death was not unexpected. "There was a gospel song that was sang and he said 'wow' with a thumbs up", Mitchell told Reuters, when asked to describe the scene at Diddley's deathbed. The song was "Walk Around Heaven" and in his last words he stated that he was going to heaven. Read more * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Funeral service details Details on services for late singer, songwriter and guitarist Bo Diddley have been announced by his representatives. A private wake for family and invited friends will be held June 6 at the Showers of Blessing Harvest Center in Gainesville, Florida, with a public viewing from 1-2 pm and the funeral service from 2-5 pm at the same location on June 7. Willie King, pastor. A memorial service featuring a musical tribute from Diddley's touring band, the Debby Hastings Band, and guest musicians will be held immediately following the funeral service at Gainesville's Martin Luther King Center. The burial service, which is scheduled for June 8, is also a private event. Fans who wish to send flowers are instructed to contact Prange's Florist at 352-335-0100. Donations can also be made in lieu of flowers to: The Bo Diddley Charitable Foundation, c/o Ronald Stevens, Esq, 280 East Hathaway Avenue, Bronson, Florida, 32621. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bo Diddley interview 1 * * Bo Diddley interview 2 Bo Diddley interview 3 Bo Diddley hospitalized May 12, 2007 Bo Diddley has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. A press release from his publicist says the singer and songwriter showed signs of disorien- tation after a show at Horseshoe Casino, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Saturday, May 12, 2007. He was immediate taken to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Medical updates will be made as the situation warrants. Press inquires can be made to Susan Clary at Big Monkey PR, scbigmonkey@earthlink.net (323) 653-4987. Fans are asked not to contact the hospital but may send well wishes to postmaster@tciartists.com or TCI (Talent Consultants International, Ltd.) 105 Shad Row, 2nd Floor, Piermont, NY 10968. Source: David Blakey Site home * * More Bo Diddley * * Bo Diddley Site Diddley's 2007 European tour postponed June 02 - Market Harborough, England - Leisure Centre June 03 - Cardiff, Wales - Coal Exchange June 05 - Southampton, England - The Brook June 06 - London, England - Jazz Cafe June 07 - London, England - Jazz Cafe June 09 - Liverpool, England - Cavern Club June 10 - Leeds, England - Rio's June 12 - Wolverhampton, England - Robin Hood 2 June 13 - Newcastle, England - Carling Academy June 14 - Glasgow, Scotland - The Ferry June 16 - Frome, England - Cheese & Grain June 17 - Newquay, England - The Barracuda Recent updates 2008 Johan Hasselberg, Box 156, SE-95222 Kalix, Sweden