Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor's Prized Possessions Sold at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of treasured belongings belonging to Koko Taylor, famously known as the “Queen of the Blues,” appeared for sale at a Chicago flea market after a junk dealer unknowingly bought the contents of her storage locker in Orland Park for a low price.
Unexpected Discovery at Flea Market
Ben Lewis was browsing through photographs, greeting cards, and business documents at a flea market booth in the Back of the Yards neighborhood when he experienced a sudden “deer in headlights” moment. Everything he picked up bore the name Koko Taylor.
"So great to be on the same show finally!!" – Bonnie Raitt, written on a signed photo to Taylor
Lewis soon realized he was surrounded by irreplaceable memorabilia once owned by the legendary Chicago blues singer, acclaimed as the greatest female blues vocalist of her era.
Items on Sale Included
- Photographs with notable figures: President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and "Blues Brothers" John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd
- Signed photos from Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, and the rock band Styx
- Awards such as Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year
- Several dozen handwritten song lyrics, including ones from her 2013 song “Ernestine”
- Christmas cards and other personal documents
Significance of the Sale
These important pieces of Koko Taylor’s musical legacy were scattered on portable tables and stored in plastic bins, available for anyone willing to pay a modest price to own a part of blues history.
Author's Summary
Koko Taylor's invaluable blues legacy nearly vanished unnoticed, sold cheaply at a flea market, exposing the fragility of preserving cultural treasures.
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