‘Queen of the Blues’ Koko Taylor’s Priceless Memorabilia Found at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of Koko Taylor’s personal items, including a Grammy Award, was sold inexpensively after a junk dealer randomly bought the contents of her storage locker in Orland Park.
Discovery at the Flea Market
Ben Lewis was browsing through photographs, greeting cards, and business documents at a booth in the Back of the Yards flea market last week when he experienced a sudden realization. The name “Koko Taylor” appeared on everything he picked up.
“I suddenly had a ‘deer in the headlights moment,’” Lewis recalled.
He discovered himself surrounded by irreplaceable memorabilia belonging to the Chicago singer known worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues” and widely regarded as the greatest female blues artist of her generation.
Items Found
- Photographs with notable figures such as President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and the “Blues Brothers” John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
- Autographed pictures from Bonnie Raitt, who wrote
“So great to be on the same show finally!!”
, Etta James, and the rock band Styx. - Handy Awards recognizing her as Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year.
- Several dozen handwritten song lyrics, including from her 2013 song “Ernestine.”
- Christmas cards and other personal mementos.
Significance
These important artifacts, which celebrate the legacy of Koko Taylor, were left scattered on portable tables and plastic bins, available for anyone to purchase for just a few dollars.
The unexpected sale raises questions about how such treasured pieces of musical history ended up in a junk dealer’s storage locker, highlighting the fragile nature of preserving legacy in the public eye.
“Koko Taylor is a priceless figure in blues history, and to see her memorabilia casually sold like this is striking,” said Lewis.
Author’s Summary
Koko Taylor’s invaluable personal items, including awards and autographs, were shockingly sold cheaply after a random purchase, revealing how easily important cultural history can be overlooked.
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