Taylor, Koko (1935–)

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Taylor, Koko (1935–)

African-American singer. Name variations: Ko Ko Taylor. Born Cora Walton, Sept 28, 1935, in Memphis, TN; m. Robert "Pops" Taylor, 1953 (died 1988); m. Hays Harris, 1996.

At 18, moved to Chicago and started singing with Buddy Guy/Junior Wells Blues Band; discovered by Willie Dixon (1962), had smash hit with song, "Wang Dang Doodle" (1965); formed own band, the Blues Machine (1975); appeared in films The Blues Is Alive and Well in Chicago (1970), Wild at Heart (1990) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998); albums include I Got What It Takes (1975), Queen of the Blues (1985), and Royal Blue (2000); opened nightclub, Koko Taylor's Celebrity, in Chicago (1999); won 19 W. C. Handy awards, more than any other female blues singer.

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Taylor, Koko (1935–)

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