Today My Heart is Beating a little slower.. Ms. Koko Done Went Home

Today My Heart is Beating a little slower.. Ms Koko Done Went Home..

Lawd Have Mercy.. Jesus,

Koko Taylor – I’m a Woman

I was lucky enough to get my first taste of Koko early. as an undergrad student at uof m, I saw her in 1972 at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival; it was the first time, of many to come.

She blew the crowd away. She was Walkin that walk, and talkin that talk. Pops and Ms. Koko walked off the stage to a huge crowd of new fans, including the man who would help to propel her into a contract with atlantic records.

She played local clubs all over the place for years, and many of us were lucky enough to get a taste of that sweet sassy chocolate. singing and prancing around that stage; throwing her hanky in the air and her head back and forth; it was a wonder that famous wig never flew off, in her whole career.

I remember one of the last times I saw her perform live with her band. It was in the fall of 2005 at the Soup Kitchen; a former Blues Bar and Restaurant in Detroit.

When she sang, the entire audience stood up and sang along. her voice shook the room and each person there. the house was full to the rafters and she gave us all she had. she was covered in sweat, and so were we. talk about energy.

Koko Taylor at age 30

when she sang I’m a Woman, ALL the women including myself; all sang right along, as though we all knew intrinsically that it was the anthem for Blues Women Everywhere.

She was a Show Woman, a Singer and a True Character, Always

she told a short story of how her band told her she needed to stop playing such long sets; and she told them, that as long as she could sing the blues, they’d always have a job.

nuff said from a very big fan.

Rip In Peace Queen of The Blues – Ms. Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR!!
Traditional Blues Album of the Year: Old School

KOKO TAYLOR!!
Song of the Year: Gonna Buy Me A Mule, written by Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR!!
Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year

This is from the Huffington Post – June 03, 2009 – 5:00pm

Koko Taylor, Legendary Blues Singer, Dies At 80

Blues legend Koko Taylor died Wednesday afternoon in Chicago from complications related to a May 19 surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed, according to her longtime record label, Alligator Records. She was 80.

The label has a lengthy obituary of the Chicago-based “Queen of the Blues,” whose four-decade career began with the seminal Chess Records and included eight Grammy nominations, a NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, induction into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame and numerous other music, heritage and city accolades.

Taylor’s final performance was on May 7 at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis. She performed what had become her signature song, “Wang Dang Doodle.”

Listen to Taylor perform “Wang Dang Doodle” in 2008: