Koko Taylor died at 80 due to complications from surgery | Koko Taylor Video

Koko Taylor, the Queen of American blues musician died on June 3, 2009, after complications from a surgery on May 19, 2009. Her final performance was at the Blues Music Awards, on May 7, 2009. See Koko Taylor video .

 

Koko Taylor died from surgical complications Wednesday afternoon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, told by Marc Lipkin of Alligator Records. Koko Taylor was 80.

Koko Taylor wiki states that she left Memphis for Chicago, Illinois in 1952 and began singing in Chicago blues clubs. Koko Taylor was spotted by Willie Dixon in 1962, and this led to wider performances and her first recording contract. She was known for her loud rough voice with powerful vocals and traditional blues stylings.

As she signed contract on Chess Records, “Wang Dang Doodle” was Koko Taylor’s first single written by Dixon. “Wang Dang Doodle” became a hit for Howlin’ Wolf five years earlier. Furthermore “Wang Dang Doodle” became a major hit, reaching number four on the R&B charts in 1966, and selling a million copies. This became the starting point of popularity and fame for Koko Taylor .

Koko Taylor Bio
Birth name: Cora Walton
Also known as KoKo
Born: September 28, 1928
Origin: Memphis, Tennessee
Died: June 3, 2009 (aged 80)
Genre(s): blues
R&B
Occupation(s): singer
Years active: 1960s—2009
Label(s): Alligator Records
Website: http://www.kokotaylor.com

Koko Taylor Popular Albums / Compilations / Discography

Love You Like a Woman (Charly Records) – November 30, 1968
Koko Taylor (MCA/Chess) – 1969
Basic Soul (Chess) – 1972
South Side Lady (Evidence Records) – 1973
I Got What It Takes (Alligator) – 1975
Southside Baby (Black & Blue) – 1975
The Earthshaker (Alligator) – 1978
From The Heart Of A Woman (Alligator) – 1981
Queen of the Blues (Alligator) – 1985
An Audience with Koko Taylor (Alligator) – 1987
Live from Chicago (Alligator) – 1987
Love You Like a Woman (Charly Records) – November 30, 1968
Wang Dang Doodle (Huub Records) – 1991
Jump for Joy (Alligator) – 1992
Force of Nature (Alligator) – 1993
Royal Blue (Alligator) – 2000
Deluxe Edition (Alligator) – 2002
Old School (Alligator) – 2007

Koko Taylor Achievements and Awards

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album – 1985
Howlin’ Wolf Award – 1996
Blues Hall of Fame – Inducted 1997
Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award – 1999
NEA National Heritage Fellowship – 2004
Blues Music Award (formerly the W. C. Handy Award) – 24 times, including the following categories:
Contemporary Blues Female Artist
Entertainer of the Year
Female Artist
Traditional Blues Female Artist
Vocalist of the Year

Koko Taylor appeared as a special guest with Umphrey’s McGee at their New Year’s Eve performance at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, IL in 2008. Koko Taylor also appeared as a special guest with Taj Mahal on an episode of Arthur.

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