'Queen of the Blues' Koko Taylor's Prized Possessions Sold at Chicago Flea Market
A collection of Koko Taylor’s personal belongings surfaced for sale after the unexpected sale of her storage locker in Orland Park. The items, once carefully preserved, ended up at a Chicago flea market, offered for next to nothing.
Ben Lewis stumbled upon the collection while browsing through a booth at the Back of the Yards market. As he went through photographs, documents, and greeting cards, he noticed one recurring name — Koko Taylor. In that instant, he realized he was looking at artifacts from the legendary Chicago blues singer known as the “Queen of the Blues.”
“I suddenly had a deer in the headlights moment,” Lewis said, recalling the surprise of finding Taylor’s personal effects scattered across a flea market table.
Among the items were photographs of Taylor with President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and “Blues Brothers” stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. There were also autographed photos from Bonnie Raitt, who wrote, “So great to be on the same show finally!!”, as well as from Etta James and the rock band Styx.
- Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year
- Dozens of handwritten song lyrics, including her 2013 track “Ernestine”
- Personal Christmas cards and correspondence
The discovery raised questions about how such significant pieces of musical history ended up in a public market, accessible to anyone willing to pay only a few dollars.
Author’s Summary
Koko Taylor’s lost memorabilia, including awards and rare photos, surfaced at a Chicago flea market, revealing a striking glimpse into the “Queen of the Blues” legacy and loss.