Date of Birth: September 28, 1928
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: June 3, 2009
Biography
Koko Taylor, born Cora Walton on September 28, 1928, in Bartlett, Tennessee, was an American blues singer known as the “Queen of the Blues.” She was celebrated for her powerful vocal delivery and energetic stage presence. Taylor moved to Chicago in 1952 with her husband, Robert “Pops” Taylor, and worked as a housekeeper. Her big break came when blues great Willie Dixon heard her sing and signed her to Chess Records in 1963. Her 1965 hit single “Wang Dang Doodle” became her signature song and marked the beginning of a successful career that spanned over four decades. Taylor received numerous awards, including a Grammy in 1984 for her album “Queen of the Blues,” and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1997. She continued to perform until her passing on June 3, 2009.
5 Interesting Facts about Koko Taylor
1. Koko Taylor was discovered by blues musician Willie Dixon while singing in a Chicago nightclub.
2. Her nickname “Koko” came from her love of chocolate.
3. Taylor’s hit song “Wang Dang Doodle” sold over a million copies and became a blues standard.
4. She received a Grammy Award in 1984 for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.
5. Taylor was one of the few women to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Koko Taylor
1. “I’m trying to preserve a part of American culture, and I’m doing it for the next generation.”
2. “Blues is my life. It’s a feeling, a groove. You can’t teach that.”
3. “I sing the blues to help myself stay out of the blues.”
4. “When I sing, I feel like I’m doing my part to keep the blues alive.”
5. “The blues is a feeling, you have to live it to understand it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Koko Taylor’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Koko Taylor had one daughter, Joyce “Cookie” Threatt, who often accompanied her mother on tour and helped manage her career.
Relevant Links
1. [Koko Taylor on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/koko-taylor-mn0000773144
2. [Koko Taylor’s Biography on Blues Foundation](https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/koko-taylor/
3. [Grammy Awards](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/koko-taylor
4. [Koko Taylor’s Discography on Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/artist/299717-Koko-Taylor
5. [NPR Tribute to Koko Taylor](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104874306
