Biography
Koko Taylor, born Cora Anna Walton on September 28, 1928, in Bartlett, Tennessee, grew up in a sharecropper’s family near Memphis. Orphaned by age 11, she and her siblings worked in the cotton fields by day and made music together at night, inspired by blues legends like Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie. In 1952, she moved to Chicago with her husband, Robert 'Pops' Taylor, seeking better opportunities. There, she worked as a housekeeper and began singing in the vibrant Chicago blues club scene, where her powerful, gritty vocals quickly drew attention.
Her big break came in 1962 when Willie Dixon, a prominent blues composer and producer, discovered her and secured her a contract with Chess Records. Taylor’s 1965 recording of 'Wang Dang Doodle,' written by Dixon, became a million-selling hit and established her as a major force in blues music. Over her career, she recorded for Chess and later Alligator Records, earning the title 'Queen of the Blues.' Taylor’s style blended Chicago blues, electric blues, rhythm and blues, and soul blues, characterized by her raw, impassioned delivery and commanding stage presence. She won more Blues Music Awards than any other female artist and was a Grammy winner, performing internationally for over four decades.
Taylor’s legacy is profound: she broke gender barriers in the male-dominated blues world, influenced generations of musicians, and brought Chicago blues to a global audience. Even after surviving a near-fatal car accident in 1989, she continued to tour extensively, performing over 70 shows a year until her final appearance in 2009. Koko Taylor died on June 3, 2009, in Chicago, leaving behind a lasting imprint on American music.
Fun Facts
- Koko Taylor’s nickname 'Koko' came from her childhood love of chocolate.
- She moved to Chicago in 1952 with only thirty-five cents and a box of Ritz Crackers.
- Taylor survived a near-fatal car accident in 1989 but returned to performing shortly after.
- She appeared as herself (animated as a bear) on the children’s TV show 'Arthur.'
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Willie Dixon - Discovered Taylor in Chicago, produced her early recordings, and wrote her signature hit 'Wang Dang Doodle.' ('Wang Dang Doodle', early Chess Records singles and albums) [1962-1966]
- Bessie Smith - Major stylistic influence; Taylor listened to Smith as a child and modeled her vocal power and blues phrasing after her. (Inspirational, not direct collaboration) [1930s-1940s (influence), lifelong]
- Memphis Minnie - Inspired Taylor's early musical ambitions and blues style. (Inspirational, not direct collaboration) [1930s-1940s (influence), lifelong]
Key Collaborators
- Buddy Guy - Performed together in Chicago blues clubs and on stage; Guy played guitar on some of her recordings. (Live performances, Alligator Records sessions) [1970s-2000s]
- Carey Bell - Harmonica player in Taylor's bands and on her recordings. (Alligator Records albums) [1970s-1990s]
- Mighty Joe Young - Guitarist in Taylor's band and on her recordings. (Alligator Records albums) [1970s-1980s]
- Criss Johnson - Cousin and guitarist, key member of her touring and recording band. (Alligator Records albums, live performances) [1980s-2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Bonnie Raitt - Cited Taylor as a major influence on her approach to blues singing and performance. (Raitt's blues repertoire and vocal style) [1970s-present]
- Shemekia Copeland - Inspired by Taylor’s vocal style and career path; Copeland is often seen as a successor to Taylor’s legacy. (Copeland's blues albums) [1990s-present]
- Janis Joplin - Taylor’s raw, powerful style influenced Joplin’s blues-rock singing. (Joplin's blues-influenced performances) [1960s-1970]
- Susan Tedeschi - Tedeschi has acknowledged Taylor’s impact on her own blues singing. (Tedeschi's blues albums) [1990s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Koko Taylor | 1987-01-01 | Album |
| Deluxe Edition | 2002-01-22 | Album |
| From The Heart Of A Woman | 1981-06-01 | Album |
| The Earthshaker | 1978-03-01 | Album |
| I Got What It Takes | 1975-06-01 | Album |
| Force Of Nature | 1993-11-15 | Album |
| What It Takes: The Chess Years | 1991-09-10 | Album |
| Royal Blue | 2000-06-06 | Album |
| Old School | 2007-04-03 | Album |
| Basic Soul | 1972-01-01 | Album |
| Queen Of The Blues | 1985-02-01 | Album |
| The Alligator Records Years | 2013-08-06 | Album |
| What It Takes: The Chess Years (Expanded Edition) | 1997-01-01 | Album |
| South Side Lady - Live in Netherlands 1973 (Blues Reference) | 2007-10-15 | Album |
| Jump For Joy | 1990-05-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Wang Dang Doodle (Koko Taylor)
- I'd Rather Go Blind (From The Heart Of A Woman)
- Voodoo Woman (Deluxe Edition)
- I'm A Woman (The Earthshaker)
- I Got What It Takes (I Got What It Takes)
- That's Why I'm Crying (I Got What It Takes)
- Put The Pot On (Force Of Nature)
- Insane Asylum - Single Version (Koko Taylor)
- Blues Never Die (I Got What It Takes)
- Born Under A Bad Sign (Deluxe Edition)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Koko Taylor has been played 27 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.