Cora Walton, who adopted the stage name KoKo, was born September 28, 1928 and died June 3, 2009. She wed a truck driver by the name of Robert “Pops” Taylor becoming KoKo Taylor later. Because of her unusual style and raspy yet powerful voice of singing, in addition to her blues style, the American Chicago Blues singer became known as the “Queen of the Blues”.
A share croppers’ daughter, Taylor, was raised in Shelby County, Tennessee. In 1952, she left Memphis and began singing in Chicago blues clubs. Willie Dixon spotted her one night and signed a recording contract with her on Chess Records. It was when she recoded Wang Dang Doodle a song written by Dixon.
Taylor influenced musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, Shannon Curfman, and Susan Tedeschi. In the years prior to her death, she performed over 70 concerts a year and resided just south of Chicago in Country Club Hills, Illinois.
Taylor’s final performance was at the Blues Music Awards, on May 7, 2009. She suffered complications from surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding on May 19, 2009, and died on June 3 of that year.
written by Isadora – information gathered from Wikipedia
Koko Taylor & Sammy Lawhorn ~ ”Please Don’t Dog Me”&”Wang
Koko Taylor – I’d Rather Go Blind (Live)
KOKO TAYLOR BLUES NEVER DIE
Frizz every Tuesday offers the “A to Z challenge”. He’s walking us step by step through the alphabet. This week is the Letter K – to join in – http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/tagged-k-2/
March 19, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Isadora, you inspired me to try
a little acoustic version
of “I’d rather go blind”:
https://soundcloud.com/fingerstyle_guitar/for-etta
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:22 pm
I enjoyed your acoustic version … AND … the singing. I love Etta James. I was sorry I missed the Letter E. I would have posted her. There are a great deal of wonderful blues and jazz talents from the past.
I appreciate that I was able to inspire your choice Frizz.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Isadora
Thanks
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:36 pm
I plan to go back and sign up for the sound cloud. The blues are my favorite. I enjoyed it very much. We have heavy rain and lightening so my computer is being fussy. But, I will be back.
~~~ : – )
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 12:32 pm
gracias Isadora,
for the links to Koko!
inspired me to analyze
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:38 pm
I have this song with Muddy Waters. Supper music being posted here. I am loving them. There is a special feeling in the blues. I never saw the Rollin’ Stones do the blues. Mick Jagger can feel the blues. How cool !!!
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 8:59 am
Love ‘I’d rather go blind’! Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Etta James has a wonderful rendition, too.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I enjoyed listening to
the music before posting. ~~~ : – )
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 7:40 am
What a lady! A nice way to start my day thanks Issy 🙂
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:23 pm
She had an unusual style. My friend introduced me to her on a CD she burned for me. It’s always a pleasure to learn about the talents that have blazed the way for others. ~~~~ : – )
LikeLike
March 18, 2014 at 11:49 pm
She was indeed, ‘Queen of the blues’ I love her voice, thanks for posting this Isadora! 🙂
LikeLike
March 19, 2014 at 11:41 pm
The blues is a feeling kinds music. Etta James and Muddy Waters have had some really great rendition of the ones I posted with KoKo.
Glad your enjoyed !!!! ~~~~ : – )
LikeLike