C&L's Late Night Music Club with Koko Taylor, 1928-2009
By MaxMarginal Wednesday Jun 03, 2009 7:00pmSad news today in the blues world:
Koko Taylor more than once said she hoped that when she died, it would be on stage, doing the thing she loved most: Singing the blues.
She nearly got her wish. The Chicago musical icon died Wednesday at age 80 of complications from gastrointestinal surgery less than four weeks after her last performance, at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tenn. There she collected her record 29th Blues Music Award, capping an era in which she became the most revered female blues vocalist of her time with signature hits "Wang Dang Doodle," "I'm a Woman" and "Hey Bartender."
Taylor died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital 15 days after her May 19 surgery. She appeared to be recovering until taking a turn for the worst Wednesday morning, and was with friends and family when she died.
Often called the "Queen of the Blues", Taylor was never one to take many breaks, continuing to perform, record and receive awards throughout her fifty-year long career. Enjoy the Willie Dixon-penned song that was a million-seller for Taylor in 1966 (how many artists have their biggest hit at 38, by the way?!), "Wang Dang Doodle".
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I loved her! If you ever get a chance you need to hear her cover of Melissa Etheridge's "Bring Me Some Water". Good Stuff!
What a great performer and a powerful blues singer. Koko will be missed. She was exceptional.
I had the priveledge of seeing Koko a few times, twice with John Lee Hooker. Class act that Lady.
I've been chasing one song she sang in Indy in 1989, but haven't had any luck figuring out the title. It was a beautiful tune with a line that went something like "crying icicles instead of tears." Sound familiar to anyone?
You'll be missed Ms. Taylor.
from "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" that was originally done by Meat Loaf. I didn't know she did that one!
can't vouch for her exact phrasing, but that was the gist.
I used to love her club on Division. I think it's the Leg Room now.
For me, this was Koko at her blue best: Voodoo Woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-o-s-5eAXc&fe...
There will never be another like her.
I fondly remember seeing Koko in 1979 on the same bill as Muddy Waters at my high school. Yes, at my HIGH SCHOOL.
There were some things good about growing up in Chicago after all.
I don't find that in the least bit surprising.
I didn't.
See, Muddy didn't live in the city and he had the only in-ground pool in town.
I should say THE pre-eminent high school music teacher, and he brought many fine musicians to the forefront of the industry.
With students like Gene Ammons, Nat King Cole, Bo Diddley, Dorothy Donegan, Eddie Harris, Julian Priester, Dinah Washington and many others, it occurred to me, he might have been able to get some pretty stellar visitors to sit in on the class...
but in the 1990s. Man, that school for all of its faults had a hell of a legacy. My band teacher studied under Capt. Dyett and my ex's mother did as well.
Koko was great! Still is-I got CDs! Guess it was cool she got one last Blues Music Award before she passed!
Shit. Now I am going to load the CD player with about ten hours of Koko in memorium.
RIP, Koko.
Sorry I'm so late to the LNMC, I was sleeping ... oops ...
Some unfamiliar names at the club tonight, welcome to you all. Thanks for payin' respects.
KoKo Taylor brings up quite a lot of childhood memories of our family going to the Blues Festival in Chicago every year. My grandmother would start dancing her ass off when Wang Dang Doodle came on and start hootin' and hollerin' when Ms Taylor sang Sweet Home Chicago. What a performer and what a voice. Heaven just got a lot more fun now that KoKo Taylor has joined the choir.
I saw her about 10 years ago in Detroit at the Magic Bag...excellent show...POWERFUL voice.
You'll be missed KoKo.
She was truly an American Icon, and contributed immensely to the evolution of rock&roll!
That's Why I'm Crying
Seems appropriate...:-(
Everyone must die eventually. Everyone also has an influence in the world, be it good or bad. Koko's positive influence has moved generations, and that is about as much as anyone of us can hope for in a lifetime.
RIP Koko, and thanks for your life.
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