‘Queen of the Blues’ Koko Taylor’s Priceless Items Appear at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of treasured possessions belonging to Koko Taylor, the renowned Chicago singer dubbed the “Queen of the Blues,” was unexpectedly put on sale at a flea market in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Ben Lewis discovered the rare items while browsing through photographs, greeting cards, and business papers at a booth last week. He experienced “a deer in the headlights moment” upon seeing the name Koko Taylor on numerous pieces.
Lewis soon realized he was surrounded by irreplaceable memorabilia from Taylor’s life and music career, now displayed on simple tables and in plastic bins, available for anyone with a few dollars to purchase.
Items Included in the Collection
- Photos featuring Taylor with notable figures such as President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and “Blues Brothers” John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd
- Autographed photographs from Bonnie Raitt, who wrote,
“So great to be on the same show finally!!”
, Etta James, and the rock band Styx - Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year
- Dozens of handwritten song lyrics, including her 2013 piece, “Ernestine”
- Various Christmas cards
“So great to be on the same show finally!!” — Bonnie Raitt, on an autographed photo to Koko Taylor
Koko Taylor is widely considered one of the greatest female blues singers of her generation, making the casual sale of these artifacts all the more surprising.
Summary
The unexpected sale of Koko Taylor’s rare personal and professional memorabilia at a flea market reveals how priceless cultural artifacts can sometimes appear in the most ordinary places.