Many were captivated by this woman’s unique, powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Every one of her concerts was a heartfelt, soulful show that consistently brought audiences to their feet for standing ovations. We are talking about the unparalleled Koko Taylor. Read more about her life and work on chicagoka.com.
Childhood and First Steps into the Blues
The future star was born on September 28, 1928, as Cora in Bartlett, Tennessee, into a large family of sharecroppers. From an early age, Cora—the name her parents gave her at birth—sang in the Baptist church and absolutely loved listening to the blues on the radio. She and her siblings also secretly played on numerous homemade instruments, including a guitar crafted from wire, braces, and nails. Cora was orphaned at 11, and instead of attending school, she picked cotton to earn a meagre living.
When she turned 18, the young woman moved to Chicago and soon married Robert Taylor. Life in the new city was tough for the young couple. Koko’s husband found work as a packer at the Wilson Packing Company, a meat processing firm, while she worked as a housemaid for a wealthy white family on Chicago’s North Shore.
On weekends, Koko and Robert often visited clubs frequented by African Americans, and it was at one of these venues that she first took the stage to sing. In 1962, Koko was noticed by the renowned composer and producer Willie Dixon. Impressed by her performance, he signed her to a recording contract with Chess Records, where he produced several singles and two albums. In 1965, her smash hit “Wang Dang Doodle” was released, selling a million copies and becoming one of Taylor’s signature songs. Following this success, Koko found a home at the Chicago label Alligator Records, and in 1975, she released her Grammy-nominated album I Got What It Takes.
Musical Career Development
In the 1970s, Chess Records ran into financial trouble and eventually went bankrupt. Taylor signed with the young Alligator Records label and quickly became a dominant force on the blues scene, both at home and internationally. During this period, she toured extensively and received countless accolades. Koko steadily grew into a famous and respected blues vocalist. She was frequently invited to music festivals, and major record companies offered her lucrative contracts. Throughout the 1970s, Koko actively toured, promoting the blues in various countries. In 1978, she released her album *The Earthshaker*, which included several tunes that became staples in her live performances, including “I’m a Woman” and “Hey Bartender.”
In 1990, Koko released *Jump for Joy* and also made a cameo appearance in the David Lynch film *Wild at Heart*. In 1993, the album *Force of Nature* was released, after which the star took a seven-year hiatus from recording. During this time, she married Hayes Harris and continued to tour, maintaining her high public profile. In 2000, she returned with the new album *Royal Blue*, which featured numerous famous guest artists.
Awards and Accolades
Serious health issues forced Koko to take another long break before she returned in 2007 with yet another album, *Old School*.
Throughout her career of over 40 years, Taylor received a multitude of awards. In 2004, she was honoured with the highest award for American artists, the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award. She was also awarded the Chicago Legend Of The Year. In 1997, she was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. A year later, Chicago Magazine named her “Chicagoan of the Year.” Notably, Taylor’s last studio album, Old School, released in 2007, received a Grammy nomination.
Interesting Facts
- The nickname Koko came from her childhood love of chocolate.
- In 1989, the star survived a serious car accident during a tour in which she nearly died. She broke her shoulder, collarbone, and several ribs. During the same period, her husband suffered a heart attack and died a few months later. Despite this tragedy, she continued to tour extensively with her band, “Blues Machine,” and kept recording.
- In 1994, Taylor opened a blues club on Division Street in Chicago, which relocated to Wabash Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop in the 2000s.
- In 2003, Taylor appeared alongside Taj Mahal in an episode of the children’s television series *Arthur*.
- In the final years of her life, the star was performing over 70 concerts a year.
- In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accused Koko of owing $400,000 in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest for the years 1998, 2000, and 2001. Her income during this period totalled $949,000.
- Taylor’s final performance took place at the Blues Music Awards ceremony on May 7, 2009.
On June 3, 2009, the blues legend passed away in Chicago at the age of 80 due to complications following gastrointestinal surgery. However, her work continues to be highly valued by contemporaries. It’s difficult to overstate the immense contribution this great woman made to the development of the blues. Thanks to her love for music, she managed to make a name for herself worldwide and build a successful career. The songs performed by Koko Taylor live on in the hearts of many.