Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor’s Treasured Items Found at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of priceless belongings once owned by Koko Taylor, known as the “Queen of the Blues,” unexpectedly appeared for sale at a flea market in Chicago after a dealer bought the contents of her storage locker in Orland Park for a low price.
The Discovery
Ben Lewis was browsing through photographs, greeting cards, and business papers at a booth in the Back of the Yards flea market when he suddenly noticed one recurring name on the items – Koko Taylor. This triggered a moment of realization: he was surrounded by unique memorabilia from the legendary Chicago blues singer, widely regarded as the greatest female blues vocalist of her time.
Memorabilia and Artifacts
- Photos featuring Taylor with notable figures such as President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and “Blues Brothers” actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd
- Signed photographs from artists including Bonnie Raitt, who wrote,
“So great to be on the same show finally!!”
, as well as from Etta James and rock band Styx - Awards like the Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year
- Handwritten song lyrics, including those for her 2013 track “Ernestine”
- Personal items such as Christmas cards
Despite their cultural and historical significance, these artifacts were displayed casually on inexpensive tables and stored in plastic bins, accessible to anyone willing to pay a few dollars.
Summary
Koko Taylor’s rare and valuable personal items, representing key moments in her illustrious career, were inadvertently made available to the public at a Chicago flea market after a storage unit sale.
Author’s summary: Koko Taylor’s irreplaceable blues legacy was nearly lost to obscurity, surfacing by chance at a local market, revealing the fragility of preserving music history.
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