Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor, born on September 28, 1928 in Bartlett, Tennessee, was a renowned US R&B singer known as "The Queen of Chicago Blues". She earned her nickname "Koko" due to her love for chocolate. In 1962, she was discovered by Willie Dixon which led to a contract with Chess Records. Collaborating closely with Dixon, Taylor released several singles including the iconic "Wang Dang Doodle" in 1965. Her powerful vocals set her apart from other female artists at Chess Records such as Etta James and Irma Thomas.

Taylor's unique shouting style drew inspiration from blues legends like Big Mama Thornton and Howlin' Wolf. Her self-titled debut album in 1969 showcased a compilation of her Chess singles. From 1975 onwards, she recorded for Alligator Records for over three decades. In 1985, her album "Queen of the blues" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Passionate about performing until the end, Koko Taylor sadly passed away on June 03, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois after complications from surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding. Her legacy lives on through her influential contributions to the blues genre.