Koko Taylor

• Genre: Electric Blues
• Hometown: Chicago

About

Veteran blues singer and reigning queen of Chicago Blues, Koko Taylor has an earthshakingly powerful voice that can swoop from a raspy low groan to gritty, paint-peeling high notes with amazing power. She has often been paired with powerful and distinctive guitar players such as Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks over the years, but her hard-rocking, visceral style is more than a match for any artist whom she shares the stage or recording studio with. Born in Memphis, Tenn., Taylor moved to Chicago at age 18 and eventually fell in with songwriter extrodinaire Willie Dixon, who became her mentor of sorts. Her 1966 recording of his "Wang Dang Doodle" was the last charting song for Chess Records. She has recorded steadily over the years, most consistently for Alligator Records. Live, she is an arresting presence, stalking the stage in sequined dresses sporting a mouth full of gleaming gold caps.

- Tom Heyman