He knew Diddley

Ellas McDaniel Jr. was just a year old when his father went from relative obscurity, driving an asphalt truck and playing rhythm and blues on the street corners of Chicago, to worldwide fame.
“He was trying to put diapers on me and my sister. That’s what led him to play on street corners,” McDaniel said last week from the home of Chiefland friend Duane Schwingel. “My mother (Ethel) worked for the Polo Meat Co., cuttin’ up chickens.”
Life was hand-to-mouth when his father, influential R&B stylist Bo Diddley, hit it big with the release of “I’m a Man” in 1954 and walked through a door of opportunity that few blacks in America at that time had experienced.
It was troubled times for America.
McDaniel said he remembers seeing blacks being beaten and dragged down the street by police dogs. At his father’s shows, blacks and whites were forced to stand apart on opposite sides of the room. Still, the fans kept coming, proving the power the music had to break down racial barriers.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Chiefland Citizen, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Chiefland Citizen and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

Chiefland Citizen | circulation@chieflandcitizen.com | 352-493-4796
624 W Park Avenue, Chiefland, FL 32626
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday