Gunslinger

Bo Diddley recorded Gunslinger during the October 1959 to February 1960 sessions for Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger. The recording featured his signature beat and Chess studio personnel from his Checker period, with Bo Diddley, Leonard Chess, and Phil Chess credited as producers. Released by Checker in 1960 as a single and as the opening track of Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger, Gunslinger extended Diddleys persona into a western-themed rock and roll setting. The track helped define the albums visual and musical identity during his early-1960s Checker run. Gunslinger remained one of Bo Diddleys notable character songs and a durable part of his 1960s catalogue. Warren Zevon later performed it as Bo Diddleys a Gunslinger, showing the songs reach among later rock songwriters.