Cora Walton was born in 1928, just outside of Memphis, in Bartlett, Tenessee. An early love of chocolate earned her the nickname Koko. Koko also developed a love for the gospel music she heard in church, and also from the blues she heard on Memphis radio. Although she was encouraged to sing only gospel, Koko had an overwhelming love for the blues.
When Koko was in her early 20's, she moved to Chicago. Koko found work there by cleaning homes for wealthy families, but at night and on weekend's, Koko and her husband Robert "Pops" Taylor would visit the Chicago blues clubs. She would hear the likes of Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and many more. It wasn't long before Koko was sitting in with many of these legendary artists. It was during this period the great songwriter/arranger Willie Dixon signed and recorded Koko for USA Records and then signed her to Chess Records. In 1966, Koko released her hit, "Wang Dang Doodle"....establishing Koko as the # 1 female blues singer.
For the last 43 years, Koko had consistently performed live, released albums, received numerous blues awards, garnered 6 GRAMMY nominations and one GRAMMY win, appeared on various tribute albums, appeared in movies, television, and radio all over the world.
Koko Taylor died on June 3rd, 2009, after just receiving an award from the Blues Music Awards for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the year, held in Memphis, Tennessee.
This week on the All Memphis Music.com Specialty show, we pay tribute to the life and music of Koko Taylor, the "Queen of the Blues".
The All Memphis Music Specialty Show will air this Friday night, June 12th at 10:00 PM (CST Memphis Time) and rebroadcast on Saturday morning June 13th at 10:00 AM (CST Memphis Time).
Special thanks to The Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau,
The Memphis Commercial Appeal,
Champion Windows, Siding & Patio Rooms
Hollywood Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
for their true support of
All Memphis Music!
CLICK HERE FOR AllMemphisMusic.COM
The Memphis Commercial Appeal,
and Champion Windows, Siding & Patio Rooms,
as well as Hollywood Casino, Tunica, Mississippi,
and all of our listeners in all 50 states and over 80 countries around the world, for their true support of
All Memphis Music!
CLICK HERE FOR AllMemphisMusic.COM
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