Born Cora Walton, Taylor was 80, and her death was caused by complications from gastrointestinal surgery. Four weeks ago, Taylor collected her record 29th Blues Music Award in Memphis — capping a career that saw her become a female icon of the blues with such hits as “Wang Dang Doodle” and “I’m a Woman.”

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Among those with her Wednesday [at Northwestern Memorial Hospital] was Bruce Iglauer, owner of Chicago-based Alligator Records, who was her producer, manager and friend since 1974.

He recalled that Taylor had a similar surgery in 2004 and was on a ventilator for nearly a month. “The doctors were very discouraged then about her coming back, and she willed herself back to life,” Iglauer said. “We were hoping she would do the same this time.”