Have Guitar Will Travel is the third studio album by rock and roll musician Bo Diddley. It was released on the Checker Records label in 1960.
The front cover of Diddley's album displays a white calling card similar to that which Richard Boone's Have Gun – Will Travel character Paladin carried and gave out on every episode of the series. The location was Livingston Street, Brooklyn, New York City.
History The song "Cops and Robbers" was released as an A-side of Checker single #850 in November 1956; the B-side "Down Home Special" did not appear on this album. The song "Mona (I Need You Baby)" was released as the B-side to "Hey! Bo Diddley" in April 1957, the A-side appearing on the album Bo Diddley in 1958. "Say Man, Back Again" was released as a single in November 1959. The rest of the songs were album-only releases, although an edited version of "She's Alright", lacking vocal overdubs, had appeared as the B-side of "Say Man, Back Again."
Cover versions Several songs on Have Guitar Will Travel were covered by many British Invasion bands. Originally recorded and released in 1956 by Boogaloo and his Gallant Crew led by singer Kent Harris (reissued on the Road Songs collection by Frémeaux et Associés), "Cops and Robbers" was recorded by The Rolling Stones, The Masters Apprentices, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders, Downliners Sect, and George Thorogood.
Track listing
Personnel Per liner notes Bo Diddley – vocals, guitar Jerome Green – co-lead vocals on "Say Man, Back Again", maracas, background vocals Peggy Jones – guitar, background vocals Willie Dixon – bass Clifton James – drums Frank Kirkland – drums Jody Williams – guitar Lafayette Leake – piano Lester Davenport – harmonica on "Spanish Guitar"
Charts "Say Man, Back Again" reached #23 on the R&B Singles chart.
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalog United States January 1960 Checker Records LP LP-2974 United States 1984 Chess Records LP CH-9187 Cassette CHC-9187
References