Legendary Blues Singer Koko Taylor Remembered, Receives Brass Note on Beale
The late “Queen of Blues” Koko Taylor born Cora Walton in 1928 in Bartlett was immortalized on Beale St for her contribution to the music industry on Thursday. KoKoa Taylor is known for her rough but soulful Southern singing which helped put her on the top music charts for the song “”Wang Dang Doodle” while signed to Chess Records, the same label the late Etta James was signed to (Beyonce Knowles in Cadillac Records). KoKoa Taylor’s career spanned over 50 years.
Throughout KoKo Taylor’s career she received 29 Handy Awards, amongst other recognitions.
A few hours shy of the annual Handy Blues Awards show, the non-profit organizations Memphis Music Foundation and the Blues Foundation unveiled the 118th Brass Note which would be added to the Walk of Fame. To accept the honorary moment for KoKo Taylor, her daughter “Cookie” and Alligator Records founder and close friend Bruce Iglauer accepted on her behalf.
During the acceptance, KoKo Taylor’s daughter stated that her mother had a rough life and had been abused, but never forgot Bartlett and Memphis.
Koko Taylor, who was orphaned at the age of 7, died in 2009 at the age of 80. Taylor’s last performance took place in her hometown May 7, 2009 at the Blues Music Awards.
Below you can catch a performance of the late singer singing the Willie Dixon penned song “Wang Dang Doodle” in 2008 at the Wilmington Blues Festival in Delaware as well as her 1967 video featuring Little Walter.
Koko Taylor ft. Little Walter – Wang Dang Doodle (1967)
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Koko Taylor – Wang Dang Doodle (2008)
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