Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor was working as a house cleaner in Chicago while building a reputation as one of the city's most powerful blues singers.

Born Cora Walton near Memphis, Tennessee, Taylor moved to Chicago in the 1950s and immersed herself in the city's thriving blues scene. Her commanding voice soon caught the attention of legendary songwriter and producer Willie Dixon, who helped launch her recording career with Checker Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records.

In 1965, Taylor recorded "Wang Dang Doodle," a Willie Dixon-penned blues classic that became her signature song and a major hit in 1966. The record introduced her music to audiences around the world and established her as one of the leading voices in Chicago blues.

Throughout the decades, Taylor recorded favorites including "I'm A Woman" and "Voodoo Woman," earning numerous honors while helping carry the blues tradition to new generations of listeners! Taylor continued recording and performing extensively into the 21st century, her 2000 release Royal Blue receiving a Grammy Nomination for best blues album.