Mrs. Taylor died Wednesday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at age 80, the result of complications from surgery on May 19 to correct a gastrointestinal bleed, the Chicago Sun-Times reported yesterday. She appeared to be recovering, but took a turn for the worst Wednesday morning. Mrs. Taylor was surrounded by friends and family when she passed.
Mrs. Taylor was born Cora Walton in Memphis, and began singing at a young age. She was a living example of all the blues genre stands for. She worked at a cotton plantation for a living after both her parents died by the time she was 11. In the early 1950s she moved to Chicago to be with her future husband, Robert “Pops” Taylor. Once here, she worked as a domestic aide for rich families on the North Side.
On weekends, she would attend the blues clubs on the South Side, occasionally sitting in with bands. Willie Dixon approached her in the early ‘60s about recording his song, “Wang Dang Doodle”. The 1965 recording launched her career and established her sound. She had a resilient spirit, moving from the infamous Chess Records to Alligator, all the while keeping expectations of herself and her bandmates high. She won 29 Blues Music Awards, more than any other artist and was nominated eight times for Grammy Awards, winning once, in 1984.
She bounced back from a 2004 coma to record what would be her last album, 2007’s Old School. Mrs. Taylor played with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. She was scheduled to go to Spain next week, according to Bruce Iglauer, owner of Alligator Records, who was Mrs. Taylor’s producer, manager and friend since 1974.
Her last performance was at the Blues Awards in Memphis on May 7. Survivors include her husband, Hays Harris; daughter Joyce Threatt; son-in-law Lee Threatt; grandchildren Lee Jr. and Wendy; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.
She was Chicago’s very own.
Information compiled from Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Pitchfork.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
