Koko Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Koko Taylor
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Taylor at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Cora Anna Walton |
| Also known as | KoKo |
| Born | September 28, 1928 Shelby County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 2009 (aged 80) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1958–2009 |
| Labels | |
Koko Taylor (born Cora Anna Walton, September 28, 1928 – June 3, 2009) was a famous American singer. She was known for her strong, powerful voice. People often called her "The Queen of the Blues." Her music included styles like Chicago blues, electric blues, and rhythm and blues.
Contents
Koko Taylor's Life and Music Career
Early Life and Moving to Chicago
Koko Taylor was born on a farm near Memphis, Tennessee. Her father worked as a sharecropper. In 1952, she moved to Chicago with her husband, Robert "Pops" Taylor. He worked as a truck driver.
Starting Her Music Journey
In the late 1950s, Koko began singing in blues clubs around Chicago. A famous musician named Willie Dixon discovered her in 1962. This helped her get more chances to perform and make her first recordings.
In 1963, she released a song on USA Records. The next year, she had a song on a blues collection called Chicago Blues.
The Hit Song "Wang Dang Doodle"
In 1964, Willie Dixon helped Koko sign with Checker Records. This was part of Chess Records. There, she recorded "Wang Dang Doodle". Willie Dixon had written this song, and Howlin' Wolf had recorded it earlier.
Koko's version became a big hit in 1966. It reached number four on the R&B music charts. It also sold a million copies! She sang this song many times over the years. One famous performance was in 1967. She sang it live at the American Folk Blues Festival. She was joined by harmonica player Little Walter and guitarist Hound Dog Taylor.
Becoming the Queen of the Blues
Koko Taylor became more famous by touring across the United States. This happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1975, she signed with Alligator Records. This helped more people discover her music.
She recorded nine albums for Alligator Records. Eight of these albums were nominated for Grammy Awards. Koko became one of the most important female blues singers. She won twenty-nine W. C. Handy/Blues Music Awards.
Later Years and Influence
In the 1990s, Koko Taylor appeared in movies like Blues Brothers 2000 and Wild at Heart. She also opened her own blues club in Chicago in 1994.
In 2003, she was a guest on the TV show Arthur with Taj Mahal. In 2009, she performed with the band Umphrey's McGee.
Koko Taylor inspired many other musicians. Some of them include Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, and Susan Tedeschi.
In her later years, Koko performed over 70 concerts each year. She lived in Country Club Hills, Illinois, near Chicago.
Koko Taylor's last performance was at the Blues Music Awards on May 7, 2009. She passed away on June 3, 2009, after having surgery.
Awards and Recognitions
Koko Taylor received many important awards for her music:
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album (1985)
- Howlin' Wolf Award (1996)
- Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1997)
- Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (1999)
- NEA National Heritage Fellowship (2004)
- Blues Music Awards (formerly W. C. Handy Awards): She was nominated 32 times and won 29 times! Some of her wins include:
- Entertainer of the Year (1985)
- Female Artist (1981, 1995)
- Song of the Year (2008)
- Traditional Blues Album (2008)
- Traditional Blues Female Artist (many times between 1992 and 2009)
- Vocalist of the Year (1985)
- 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Blues Album (2008)
Discography
Here are some of Koko Taylor's albums and singles:
- "Love You Like a Woman" (1968, Charly Records)
- Koko Taylor (1969, MCA/Chess Records)
- Basic Soul (1972, Chess)
- South Side Lady (1973, Black and Blue Records)
- I Got What It Takes (1975, Alligator Records)
- Southside Baby (1975, Black & Blue)
- The Earthshaker (1978, Alligator)
- From the Heart of a Woman (1981, Alligator)
- Queen of the Blues (1985, Alligator)
- Live from Chicago: An Audience with the Queen (1987, Alligator)
- Jump for Joy (1990, Alligator)
- Wang Dang Doodle (1991, Huub Records)
- Force of Nature (1993, Alligator)
- Royal Blue (2000, Alligator)
- Old School (2007, Alligator)
See also
In Spanish: Koko Taylor para niños
