Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor's Prized Possessions Sold at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of Koko Taylor's personal items was sold cheaply after a junk dealer unknowingly bought the contents of her storage locker in Orland Park. Ben Lewis discovered the artifacts while browsing at a flea market booth in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Unexpected Discovery
While examining photographs, greeting cards, and business documents, Lewis had “a deer in the headlights moment” when he noticed the name Koko Taylor on many items. He realized he was surrounded by priceless memorabilia once belonging to the Chicago-born singer, widely known as the “Queen of the Blues” and regarded as the greatest female blues vocalist of her generation.
Items on Sale
- Photos of Taylor with 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 with the message,
“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
- Several dozen handwritten song lyrics, including from her 2013 track “Ernestine”
- Christmas cards and other personal memorabilia
Legacy and Value
Despite their significance, these important pieces of Taylor's legacy were displayed on inexpensive tables and in plastic bins, available to anyone with some cash at the flea market.
“So great to be on the same show finally!!” — Bonnie Raitt
Koko Taylor's cherished belongings, including awards and personal mementos, unexpectedly became accessible to the public at a local flea market.
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