06/03/2026
Remembering Koko Taylor đź’™
Koko Taylor was one of the leading figures in Chicago blues and became widely known for her powerful vocal style and long recording career. Her work helped introduce blues music to new audiences across several decades.
Cora Walton, known professionally as Koko Taylor, was born in Shelby County, Tennessee. She moved to Chicago in the 1950s and began building her career in the city's blues scene. Early in her career, she was noticed by blues musician Willie Dixon, who helped guide her first recordings. In 1965 she achieved national recognition with the hit song "Wang Dang Doodle," which became one of the best-known blues recordings of its era.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Koko Taylor continued recording and performing extensively. She became closely associated with Alligator Records, one of the most important labels in modern blues. Her albums included "I Got What It Takes," "The Earthshaker," "From the Heart of a Woman," and "Force of Nature." She earned multiple Blues Music Awards and received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for "Old School" in 2009.
Koko Taylor performed with many notable blues artists during her career and remained an active presence on the international blues circuit for decades. She was often referred to as the "Queen of the Blues" and played an important role in maintaining public interest in Chicago blues. Her recordings and live performances helped connect traditional blues with newer generations of listeners.
Koko Taylor died on June 3, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. We remember Koko Taylor and listen to her music forever.
