Koko Taylor – so named because of her lifelong fondness for chocolate – was born in 1928 and earned the title “Queen of the Blues” after cutting her teeth on Chicago’s club scene in the early 1950s.
She had moved there from Tennessee with future husband Robert ‘Pops’ Taylor, armed – in Koko’s words – with just “35 cents and a box of Ritz crackers”.
Chess signed her up in the 60s, and it was with that label that she recorded the million-selling hit Wang Dang Doodle (1966).
It was a song that showcased her raw blues shout, taking her cue from Big Mama Thornton and Memphis Minnie.
She was also nominated for seven Grammys. Taylor passed away in August 2009.
Related Posts
Doris Troy Born Doris Elaine Higginsen in the Bronx, she later took her grandmother's name and grew up as Doris Payne. Her…
Denise LaSalle Denise LaSalle (real name Denise Craig) was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, and raised in LeFlore County. After serving her apprenticeship…
Bay City Union Bay City Union formed in Brisbane in March 1966 and were one of Australia's first traditional Chicago blues bands. They…
Mixtures, The Aussie band The Mixtures formed as a trio of Terry Dean, Rod De Clerk and Laurie Arthur in 1965. Their first single Koko…
Johnny Mathis Johnny Mathis was born in September 1935 in Gilmer, Texas, and grew up in San Francisco. The son of a…
Booker T & The MGs In 1962 the hottest new instrumentalists were Booker T and The MGs - Two blacks and two whites, they were…
Jackie Lynton Born John Bertram Lynton in Shepperton, Middlesex on 27 February 1940, Jackie first began singing in the choir at Shepperton…
Al Wilson Al Wilson was born in Meridian, Mississippi, in June 1939 and sang in a church choir and his own gospel…
