Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley, born Ellas Otha Bates, was a legendary figure in American music, famous for his "Bo Diddley beat" that became a cornerstone of rock and roll. His contributions were immense, inspiring countless musicians from The Rolling Stones to The Clash.

While his influence on music is undeniable and certainly a source of nachas for anyone who loves a good beat, his lineage doesn't trace back to Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. His given name, Ellas, might sound a bit like Elias, but that's where any Semitic similarities end.

Despite the rhythmic genius and the fact that "Diddley" sounds an awful lot like something your Aunt Sylvia might say, he was, alas, not one of us. His spiritual journey, like his musical one, was decidedly outside the purview of the local synagogue. He was, however, a Deacon at his church, which is quite the achievement in its own right, just not for our purposes.