Thaindian News

Koko Taylor passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80. The Grammy award winner was recovering from a gastrointestinal surgery that had taken place on May 19. She breathed her last in Northwestern Memorial Hospital. After the May 19 surgery, Taylor was said to have been recovering well, until her condition deteriorated on Wednesday morning. She died the same afternoon.

Present with her on Wednesday at the hospital was Bruce Iglauer, who is the owner of Alligator Records. Alligator Records is a Chicago based recording label. Bruce Iglauer had been Taylor’s producer and manager since 1974. They have also remained personal friends throughout the duration of their professional relationship.

Koko Taylor had once said that when death would finally catch up with her, she ardently hoped it would be when she was on stage. Doing what she loved doing the most. Singing and performing. Her wish was somehow answered. Her death came about almost 4 weeks after her performance in Blues Music Award in Memphis.

Koko Taylor was the undisputed “Queen of Blues”. Her singing career was spread over five decades. Decades through which she gave hits like “Wang Dang Doodle”, “What kind of Man is this”, “I got what it takes”, “I’m a Woman”, “Hey Bartender” and numerous others.

Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley said that Chicago was honored that Taylor had called the city her home for more than 50 years. Her music had brought happiness all over the world and it was so iconic. Chicago would always cherish that she had lived her life there.

With the death of the iconic Koko Taylor, a whole era of classical Blues is gone: one that the music lovers had come to associate with her and Chicago. She will be missed by music lovers all over.