LEGACY OF BO DIDDLEY

That this House mourns the passing, at the age of only 79, of Bo Diddley, originally Otha Elias Bates, whose distinctive beat and classic songs came to inspire generations of successful rock bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Animals; notes that he was described following his tour of the US with The Clash in 1979 as `the godfather of garage rock'; acknowledges that his contribution was recognised by being inducted into both the Rock and Roll and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, as well as receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award; and believes that British rock music, itself a huge export earner for the economy, owes a great deal to this outstanding American genius of down-to-earth songs and rhythms.