With the death of guitar legend Bo Diddley on Monday, much is once again being made of the roots of rock.

It happens every time we lose a legend. Whenever one of popular music's pioneers shuffles off the mortal coil, words such as "architect" and "originator" are thrown around, as though mortality offers them a place of importance in the annals of rock.

Here's the tough but honest truth: While many early rock artists were important and perhaps influential, few can be considered founding fathers of the musical style.

Most were merely hopping on a bandwagon, cashing in on a rising trend. So while Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and the near-beatified Elvis are often cited as the wellspring from which all rock flows, they were merely talented musicians who recognized a good thing.

This raises a contentious question -- my very favorite kind. If not Elvis or Chuck or Jerry Lee, then who?

Who in fact are the pioneers of rock?

Below you'll find my picks, but please, feel free to chime in. I'll include the results of this informal poll in an upcoming column.

MUDDY WATERS: While an argument likely will be made for Robert Johnson as the blues artist who most influenced rock, I went with Muddy because of his early adoption of the electric guitar. If rock has a voice, it's probably an electric guitar plugged in, amped up and ready to rumble. We have Muddy to thank for that.

IKE TURNER: Although much-maligned because of his tempestuous relationship with Tina Turner, the first real rock record, Rocket 88 , is in fact an Ike Turner product. Sure, researchers might find it credited to the imaginary Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, but it was actually recorded by Mr. Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm, at the legendary Sun Studios in 1951.

BUDDY HOLLY AND THE CRICKETS: Though much is made of Holly, the early sides he recorded with the Crickets were actually the product of a cohesive band, a single unit of musicians. While that doesn't seem like much today, the idea of recording as a band rather than a solo artist with a loose assemblage of studio players was a revolution. Every band that plays today can trace elements of style, substance and musical democracy to the Crickets.

BO DIDDLEY: It just so happens that this week, those crowning the late and great happened to get it right. Mr. Diddley didn't invent the electric guitar or big back beat, but his innovative and original style of playing and writing gave rock the bump-de-bump bump-bump shuffle that continues to serve as the rhythmic foundation. Besides, he sang about making a cobra into a necktie. How cool is that?

CARL PERKINS: Others established the standards of rock music, but Carl Perkins can lay claim to establishing rock performance. Understanding that this new music was dark and just a little dangerous, he, under the auspices of rockabilly, developed a persona to match. Elvis, Johnny Cash and Eddie Cochran all co-opted elements of the Perkins act. So did anyone else who has approached rock with a sneer and a wiggle.