Peggy Jones (musician) facts for kids
Peggy Jones (born July 19, 1940 – died September 16, 2015), known as Lady Bo, was an amazing American musician. She was a true pioneer of rock and roll. Lady Bo played rhythm guitar in Bo Diddley's band in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She was one of the very first female rock guitarists in a famous band. Many people called her the Queen Mother of Guitar!
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Early Life and Music Journey
Peggy Jones was born in Harlem, New York City, in 1940. She grew up in a neighborhood called Sugar Hill. From a young age, she loved music. She even studied dance and opera at the High School of Performing Arts.
When she was 15, Peggy bought her first guitar. She briefly joined a local singing group called the Bop Chords. In 1957, she had a chance meeting with the famous musician Bo Diddley. He was very impressed to see a girl carrying a guitar! Bo Diddley invited her to join his band as a guitarist and singer.
Peggy recorded many songs with Bo Diddley from 1957 to 1961. These included hits like "Hey! Bo Diddley" and "Road Runner". She even wrote and played all the guitar parts on an instrumental song called "Aztec."
Lady Bo was one of the first women to play lead guitar in a major rock band. This was a big deal at the time!
Her Own Band and Style
Even while playing with Bo Diddley, Peggy Jones wanted to be an independent artist. She started her own band called The Jewels. They were also known by names like the Fabulous Jewels or Lady Bo and the Family Jewels. The Jewels became a very popular R&B band in New York and Boston during the 1960s and 1970s.
Peggy eventually left Bo Diddley's band to focus on The Jewels. She was replaced by another female guitarist, Norma-Jean Wofford, known as "The Duchess."
Peggy also played guitar on other famous songs. She played on "Wiggle Wobble" by Les Cooper in 1962. She also played percussion on "San Franciscan Nights" by Eric Burdon and The Animals. Later, she even backed up music legends like James Brown and Sam & Dave.
In 1970, she rejoined Bo Diddley’s band, bringing The Jewels with her. Peggy was known for using a special instrument called the Roland guitar synthesizer. This was an experimental instrument not often heard in rhythm and blues music.
Her Nickname and Family
Peggy Jones met Bo Diddley in 1956 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Many people thought Lady Bo and Bo Diddley were a couple because of her stage name. But that wasn't true!
Peggy was married to her band's bass player, Wally Malone. They met in a New York club in the 1960s. Peggy invited Wally to join her band in 1968, and they got married. They moved to San Jose, California. It was there, at a show with Bo Diddley, that Peggy got her famous nickname, "Lady Bo."
Remembering Lady Bo
Peggy Jones passed away on September 16, 2015, at the age of 75. She left behind her husband, Wally Malone. Wally shared the sad news, remembering Peggy as his partner and a wonderful musician. Lady Bo's music and her pioneering spirit continue to inspire many musicians today.
Music She Made
With Bo Diddley
- Go Bo Diddley (Checker, 1959)
- Have Guitar Will Travel (Checker, 1960)
- Bo Diddley in the Spotlight (Checker, 1960)
- Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger (Checker, 1960)
- Bo Diddley Is a Lover (Checker, 1961)
- Bo Diddley's a Twister (Checker, 1962)
- Bo Diddley (Checker, 1962)
