R&B Singer Bo Diddley Banned From Ed Sullivan Show For Swapping Songs
On November 20, 1955, famed R&B singer Bo Diddley infuriated legendary TV personality Ed Sullivan, when he performed his song “Bo Diddley” instead of the planned number, “Sixteen Tons,” from his album Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger.
Bo Diddley wasn’t attempting to rile up the powerful Ed Sullivan, but he was caught between the wishes of his label, who wanted him to perform “Bo Diddley,” and Sullivan, who requested “Sixteen Tons.”
“I did two songs and he got mad,” Bo Diddley later recalled. “Ed Sullivan said that I was one of the first colored boys to ever double-cross him. Said that I wouldn’t last six months”.