Go Bo Diddley is the second album by American rock and roll musician Bo Diddley, released in July 1959. The album was Bo's first studio album that included some material that had not been prereleased on singles, and his first LP for Checker Records. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it number 214 on its The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and 216 in a 2012 revised list.
Background The B-side to the single "Hush Your Mouth", "Dearest Darling" was released June 1958 and also released on Bo Diddley's self-titled debut album. Bo's next single "Willie and Lillie" was released in November 1958 and then released on this album. Bo's next single "I'm Sorry"/"Oh Yea" was released in February 1959 and reached number 17 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart. The next single "Crackin' Up" b/w "The Great Grandfather" was released in May. Go Bo Diddley was released two months later in July. In November 1959, Bo released his most popular single "Say Man"/"The Clock Strikes Twelve" which became a crossover hit reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Four songs on the album were album-only tracks, including "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)", "Don't Let It Go," "Little Girl," and "Bo's Guitar."
Recording The original recordings in mono format were recorded with an Ampex-350 tape recorder.Go Bo Diddley LP 1436 Sleeve Notes The songs "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)" and "Little Girl" were from Bo's first session for Chess Records on March 2, 1955.
Track listing All songs were written by Ellas McDaniel, with "I'm Sorry" made in collaboration with Alan Freed and Harvey Fuqua.
Side one "Crackin' Up" – 2:41 "I'm Sorry" – 2:30 "Bo's Guitar" – 2:38 "Willie and Lillie" – 2:34 "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)" – 2:36 "Say Man" – 3:09
Side two "The Great Grandfather" – 2:40 "Oh Yea" – 2:30 "Don't Let It Go" – 2:36 "Little Girl" – 2:35 "Dearest Darling" – 2:32 "The Clock Strikes Twelve" – 2:35
Personnel Per liner notes Bo Diddley – vocals, guitar; violin on "The Clock Strikes Twelve" Peggy Jones – guitar, backing vocals Jerome Green – co-lead vocals on "Say Man", maracas Willie Dixon – bass Clifton James – drums Frank Kirkland – drums Billy Boy Arnold – harmonica on "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)" and "Little Girl" Lafayette Leake – piano Otis Spann – piano
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalog United States July 1959 Checker Records LP LP-1436 United Kingdom 1959 London Records LP HA-M 2230 United States August 27, 1966 Checker Records Stereo-Pak 21-382A United States 1967 Checker Records LP LP-3006 United States 1984 Chess Records LP CH-9196
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