Bo Diddley to be moved out of intensive care

78-year-old singer suffered a stroke after a performance

Jeff Christensen / AP file

Bo Diddley to be released from intensive care after suffering a stroke in western Iowa.

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updated 7:29 p.m. ET May 21, 2007

OMAHA, Neb. - Bo Diddley, who suffered a stroke after a performance eight days ago, has improved enough to be moved into a regular room at Creighton University Medical Center, his publicist said.

The 78-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist has been hospitalized in Omaha since May 13, after performing two shows at a casino in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Diddley’s move out of intensive care was expected to happen later on Monday, his publicist said.

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Publicist Susan Clary said Diddley was awaiting word on when he can be transferred to Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla., near his hometown of Archer, Fla.

Faith Fusillo, Diddley’s business manager, said the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer continues to improve and that he has little or no physical limitations from the stroke except difficulty with speech and speech recognition.

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“I was able to speak with him by phone this morning,” Fusillo said. “He wanted to know where his stuff was: his guitar and the money from the gig. I was so happy because this is the Bo that I know and love, and a real indication that Bo is on his way back.”

Diddley, with his black glasses and low-slung guitar, has been an icon in the music industry since he topped the R&B charts with “Bo Diddley” in 1955. His other hits include “Who Do You Love,” “Before You Accuse Me,” “Mona” and “I’m a Man.”

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Bo Diddley’s condition improves after stroke

Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1998.