ENTERTAINMENT - EXPERIENCE - ACCOLADES

 

Bo Diddley 1980 - 2008

 

Bo Diddley and I met in 1980 when I was sitting in my 1962 Corvette in the parking lot of a venue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he was scheduled to perform that evening. Bo walked over to my car and asked me how much I wanted for it.  I told him the car was not for sale. He asked me to come back after the show, take his daughter Tammy for a ride in the car, and that was the beginning of a friendship that forever changed both our destiny.

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Bo Diddley Officially Coined Charlie Tona the name “Charlie Tuna”

 

The first time Bo Diddley asked me for my name, I told him, Charlie Tona. He said, “Say what!” I told him again, Charlie Tona.  He laughed and said, “Man… from now on you’re name is Charlie Tuna!” And from that time forward, Bo introduced on and off-stage as “Charlie Tona”

 

As our friendship grew, Bo Diddley invested time and interest as my mentor. I was proud to be his Protégé. My skills as a guitarist and blues harpist became proficient and eventually this led to my advancement as a guitarist and blues harpist, personal advisor, guitar designer & builder, and Bo Diddley’s most trusted best friend, confidant, and “consigliore” through the remainder of his life.  Ultimately, I earned the Title as:

 

“The Godfather of Greatest Treasures”

 

Over time I became guardian and largest private curator of Bo Diddley’s most prized personal iconic artifacts in the world which he had given to me as gifts of love, friendship, and trust.

 

As his protégé Bo personally taught me every aspect of the music industry including:

 

• Mastering his iconic style of playing guitar which ultimately created the Rock & Roll beat and influenced countless artists around the world even to this day.

• Shared his confidential secrecy behind and within his innovative design, electronics, and craftsmanship of building his own unique guitars.

• Shared insight on manipulating and creating various sounds and rhythms through Bo Diddley’s musical genius and innovation.

• Taught me skills in composing lyrics, music mixing, sound production, stage performance, and Artist Management.

• On countless occasions Bo confided on subjects of a personal and confidential nature. As his confidant, details, facts, experiences, and history about his family, and prominent artists and music industry executives will remain as such.

• Provided his in-depth knowledge and his personal experiences regarding the ways and means of deception employed by managers, producers, and promoters industry-wide to misappropriate artist funds.

• I personally designed and co-built two of Bo Diddley’s most iconic historic guitars, both of which I presented to Bo as a token of love and friendship.

 

Charlie Tona Awarded To Bo Diddley’s Official Title as The “D.N.A. of Rock & Roll”

 

Charlie Tona conceived the concept of awarding Bo Diddley the title as the “DNA of Rock & Roll” during a period in history when the significance of Genetic DNA testing first came into play as the focus of the O.J. Simpson trial.  This was also during the same period of time when Charlie Tona and Bo Diddley were having lunch together.

At one point during their conversation Bo shared his personal frustrations with Charlie with his comment… “I just feel like I didn’t get my due share.” Unsure of what he meant, Charlie asked Bo to explain.

 

Bo said, “Man… Elvis Presley’s the King of Rock & Roll… James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, B.B. King is the King of Blues… Aretha Franklin’s the Queen of Soul… Man, me and Chuck Berry started with Chess Records before any of them cats came along and we ain’t go no title!”

 

In that instant became clear to Charlie that Bo was eluding to a “ worthy title” beyond his undeniable influence as the Originator of Rock & Roll. 

 

This is when Charlie Tona equated the concept of genetic DNA testing (as a scientific method to isolate one and only one as the source to the exclusion of all other possibilities) with Bo Diddley’s contribution as the greatest influencer of Rock & Roll music.  So Charlie came up with the ultimate official Title that he ultimately awarded to Bo Diddley as the official DNA of Rock & Roll. 

Charlie Tona went to the Davie Police Supply store in Davie Florida and designed two gold personalized custom badges depicting the Title.

 

Charlie presented Bo Diddley with badge #1 of 2 while backstage at the House of Blues in New Orleans on April 21, 2000.  Bo said this was the badge he would be most proud of. He hugged Charlie and said, “I love this man, and I love you too Charlie… You my best friend man.”

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Gifts From Bo Diddley “The Godfather of Greatest Treasures”

 

Over the duration of our friendship, Bo gave me substantial gifts of historical significance spanning landmark historic events spanning and exemplifying the genius of his career. Gifts given out of love, trust, and friendship.

 

• His gifts included the iconic guitars that held the most significant importance and meaning to him, stage attire from landmark historical events, hats, badges, artwork, statues, amplifiers, effects pedals, and other belongings. (Examples include Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction related, Lifetime Grammy Award event, Blues Hall of Fame event, first Gretsch Rectangular and Billy Bo guitars presented by Fred and Dinah Gretsch, and more.)

• With each gift came one and only one specific (adamant) request. Bo used these same words with each and every gift:

 

“Uh… Charlie… You my best friend and I want you to have this. Someday it gonna be worth a lot of money and I want you to have it. I don’t want nobody in my family to have this. And I don’t want (individually named persons) to have it… I love you man.”

 

 All items are well-documented with notarized Declarations of Prominence, photographs, etc.

 

Bo introduced me to countless other musical icons during our relationship, several of which I have performed with on stage and have also permitted to perform on stage using the Bo’s guitars left in my possession.

 

• I personally negotiated performance agreements and booked concert dates on behalf of Bo Diddley outside of his management agency. During these occasions I was responsible for:

 

• Coordinating all details related to each performance including artist fees, advance deposits, air transportation, ground transportation, lodging, contract rider prerequisites, stage, lighting, backline & frontline sound equipment, backup band, scheduling, and band leader, and show execution.

• Each event was planned and executed in a seamless fashion. Bo trusted me with every aspect of managing each respective engagement.

 

Printed Publications and Hardcover Books:

 

My accollades and works as a Luthier, performer, music achievements, and personal history are documented across social media sources, the Internet, and within books and magazines with global circulation including:

 

• “Immortal Axes, Guitars That Rock” a hard-cover book by Author/Photographer, Lisa S. Johnson

• “House of Blues-A Backstage Pass To The Artists, Music & Legends” a hard-cover book by Daniel Siwek (foreward by Dan Aykroyd, introduction by Ron Bension)

• Rolling Stone Magazine (stage performance photos with Bo)

• Guitar Aficionado Magazine (feature story, volume 10, #1)

• Vintage Guitar Magazine

• Wheels On The Road Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum Exhibits & Landmark Events:

 

Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) - Scottsdale Arizona

• 12-Month Exhibit: “The Electric Guitar – Inventing an American Icon”

 

Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) - Atlanta Georgia

• 6-Month Exhibit: Wire & Wood

 

2018 NAMM Show – Anaheim California

• Celebrity Representative for Exhibitor: - Exhibited two (2) of Bo Diddley’s guitars from my collection in Author/Photographer Lisa S. Johnson’s 108 Rock Star Guitars exhibit to promote her hard-cover books, “108 Rock Star Guitars” and “Immortal Axes – Guitars That Rock” which feature my collection. VIP’s were permitted a rare opportunity to play and be photographed with my guitars.

 

Live Concert Performances – 1986 - 2022

 

Artist Collaborations:

 

• Bo Diddley

• B.B. King

• Chaka Kahn

• Chubby Checker

• Chuck Berry

• James Young & Tommy Shaw

• The Rolling Stones

• KC & The Sunshine Band

• Les Paul

• Leslie Gore

• Little Richard

• Mary Wilson

• Peggy March

• Randy Travis

• Steven Seagal

• The Brooklyn Bridge

• The Buckinghams

• The Crests

• The Everly Brothers

• Jr. Walker

• The Fabulous Thunderbirds

• The Four Tops

• The Grass Roots

• The Riffs

• The Shirelles

• The Young Rascals

• Vince Martel of Vanilla Fudge

• Paul Revere and The Raiders

• The Monkees

• Ringo Starr’s All Star Band

• Carl Gardner

• The Crystals

• Sam Moore

• Lou Christie

• Frankie Ford

• The Crystals

• Gabe Kaplan

• Clarence Clemons

• The Tokens

• Jerry Granahan

• The Buckinghams

• The Beach Boys

• The Jo Jeffrey’s Band

• The Duprees

• The Lovin’ Spoonful

• Joey Molland of Badfinger

• Soul Providers

• Crossroads Band

 

Skilled Luthier:

 

• Designer and builder of custom, handcrafted exotic electric guitars

• Experienced in the design, crafting, and completion of over 50 handmade guitars

• Designed and handcrafted guitars for celebrities, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Grammy Award winning artists

 

Personal Story Backstage from Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones: (October 22, 2002)

 

On October 22, 2002, Bo Diddley and I were backstage in the private living room area at the Rolling Stones Concert (at that time it was called the Office Depot Center located in Sunrise Florida).  At one point, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood actually “bowed down” to Bo in the dressing room as though he was a king.

 

During our time backstage, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and I were sitting on the couch sharing some of our experiences about Bo over the years. I’ll never forget when Keith Richards put his arm around me and he pointed to Bo (who was sitting in a recliner chair across from us) and Keith said the most amazing thing.  These powerful words and this memory will forever be embedded in my mind (in fact I put them in the notepad on my phone). 

 

These were Keith Richard’s exact words:

 

"Charlie, if it wasn't for that man right there (pointing to Bo), we wouldn't be here today... there wouldn't be any Rolling Stones, and there wouldn't be any rock & roll.” Keith went on to say, "We used to sit in my basement and listen to his record to learn that beat." 

 

Then I remember Bo the making comment (jokingly), "Yea, and "them mutha fu _ _ k e r's been rippin' me off ever since!"  We all had a good laugh.

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Special Birthday Gifts, October 22, 2002 from Bo Diddley and Keith Richards

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The night before my birthday Bo Diddley and wife Sylvia came to stay with me and celebrate my birthday. For my birthday present, Bo Diddley gave me his historic, first rectangular Signature Gretsch rectangular guitar which was personally given to Bo by Fred and wife Dinah Gretsch, owners of the Gretsch Guitar Company.

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After going out for dinner that evening Bo wanted to surprise Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood with a visit before their concert. At one point when we were backstage, Bo asked me to get the guitar from his car so I could show it to them.  Keith and Ronnie loved the guitar and both of them played it. I remember Ronnie asking me if I wanted him to autograph it. I laughed and said, "No way man! That's a gift from Bo!" Everybody laughed.  A short time later, Keith handed me a Fender Telecaster Thinline signed "Happy Birthday Charlie" with all four members of the Rolling Stones autographed on it.  I was stunned and honored by the gesture of kindness and friendship.

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These are a few of the many photographs benchmarking that special occasion.

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Personal Words of Wisdom from Bo Diddley:

 

• “Charlie… Ain’t nothin’ ain’t nothing till’ a Dude gets paid”

• “Charlie… Whether you’re playin’ the guitar or making love to a woman… it don’t matter how fast you go doin’ this or that all over the place… It’s knowing when to step in, hit the right note at the right time and making that sucker count, then getting’ the F---k out!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In The End as it was in The Beginning… Integrity + Honor + Trust + Vision = Legacy

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