Music legend Bo Diddley [ tickets ] is in the intensive care unit of a Nebraska hospital after suffering a stroke last Sunday (5/13).

The 78-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist, who has a history of hypertension and diabetes, showed signs of disorientation following a concert at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs, IA, according to a press release. He was taken to the emergency room at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha and admitted with elevated blood pressure and glucose levels.

Tests indicate Diddley had a stroke that affected the left side of his brain, impairing his speech and speech recognition. He is said to be in "guarded condition," according to a statement.

Diddley has been a major influence on rock-and-roll music since he topped the R&B charts in 1955 with the song "Bo Diddley." Many of his other hits--including "Who Do You Love," "Before You Accuse Me," "Mona," and "I'm a Man"--have been covered by the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds. Plus, Diddley's signature chunky rhythm has been used by countless other artists.

The veteran rocker and bluesman, with his thick black glasses and boxy guitar, has continued to be a major concert attraction.

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