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Blues Great Koko Taylor Has Died


by Jerome Weeks 4 Jun 2009 8:48 AM

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 […]

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koko_taylor_lgBorn 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.”

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