Grammy Award-winning singer Koko Taylor, known worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues,” died today (June 3) of complications following surgery, her long time record label Alligator announced on its website. She was 80.
Willie Dixon signed Taylor to Chess Records in 1962, and he produced several singles and two albums for her. Dixon also wrote “Wang Dang Doodle,” Taylor’s million selling 1965 hit that became her signature song.
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Taylor moved to Alligator Records in 1975. Of her nine albums for the label, eight were nominated for Grammy awards. She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album “Blues Explosion” on Atlantic.
Taylor’s last public performance was on May 7 in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards, where she sang “Wang Dang Doodle” after receiving her award for Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year.