Highlights
Koko Taylor, born Cora Walton in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Chicago in 1955 and is known as Queen of the Blues. In 1966, she had a major hit with her cover of Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle," a tune that's since become a signature hit for her. Her smoky, almost-masculine-like vocals have influenced some of the most revered female singers around, including Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Even now, at 79, she pretty much owns the blues scene, having won 25 W.C. Hardy Awards (now known as the Blues Music Awards), more than any other artist.
Koko Taylor, born Cora Walton in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Chicago in 1955 and is known as Queen of the Blues. In 1966, she had a major hit with her cover of Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle," a tune that's since become a signature hit for her. Her smoky, almost-masculine-like vocals have influenced some of the most revered female singers around, including Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Even now, at 79, she pretty much owns the blues scene, having won 25 W.C. Hardy Awards (now known as the Blues Music Awards), more than any other artist.
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Guitarist Ronnie Earl says he wants to bring positive energy to Blues Fest
amyc@herald-mail.comBlues guitarist Ronnie Earl said he is counting the days until his performance next month at the 17th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest. His Saturday, June 2, appearance will mark his first in Hagerstown. "I usually take an air trip every year to a...Tags: B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Arts, Downtown (Baltimore, Maryland), Concerts
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2012: The Year the Music Died (So Far)
It’s not even June. But already this calendar year we’ve lost a gut-wrenching list of people who’ve impacted the music world: impresarios Don Cornelius and Dick Clark, R&B legends Johnny Otis and Etta James, the incomparable Band...
Tags: Music Industry, Teddy Pendergrass, Bee Gees (music group), Obituaries, Frank Foster
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Exclusive: Lineup and highlights from Bud Light stage at Taste of Chicago 2012
RedEye Sound BoardYou heard it here first: Now that our 2012 RedEye Rock ‘n’ Vote winner has been slotted in, these bands comprise the best of the previously unannounced Bud Light Stage lineup at this year’s Taste of Chicago. You’ll be at all of...Tags: Woody Guthrie, Old Town School of Folk Music, Johnny Cash, Taste of Chicago, Ella Fitzgerald
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Alligator's Bruce Iglauer among Chicagoans of the Year
Each year the Tribune recognizes a handful of Chicagoans as its artists of the year. This year, Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer is among them. Here's why:
The Chicago Blues Festival reserved its final night last June for a birthday party:...Tags: Corey Harris, Music, American Civil Liberties Union, Luther Allison, Shemekia Copeland
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Etta James dies at 73; acclaimed blues and R&B singer
Etta James, the earthy blues and R&B singer whose anguished vocals convinced generations of listeners that she would rather go blind than see her love leave, then communicated her joy upon finding that love at last, died Friday. She was 73.
She died at...Tags: B.B. King, Music, Music Industry, Bonnie Raitt, Roseanne Barr
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Grammy winner Mavis Staples to headline Blues Fest
Arts criticMavis Staples will be featured at the 29th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, running June 8 through 10 in Grant Park. The festival will run 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on several stages each day. Staples will close the fest at the Petrillo Music Shell, Columbus...Tags: Hubert Sumlin, Grant Park, Festive Events, Muddy Waters, Entertainment Events
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Blast Furnace Blues fest a party, even in tribute to headliner who died
Lehigh Valley Music“I’m trying to start a party here,” Grammy Award-winning zydeco singer Chubby Carrier told the Musikfest Café crowd Sunday at the Blast Furnace Blues festival. Somebody sing!” Partying clearly was the atmosphere of the final day of... -
21st century blues -- can an ancestral art form survive?
You can't find the blues on radio very easily these days, unless you hunt low down on the dial in the small hours of the morning.
Same with TV -- a vast wasteland, as far as real blues is concerned.
Record stores -- remember those? -- no longer can...Tags: Music, Music Industry, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Europe, Blues (genre)
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On the eve the grand opening on Clark Street, 10 moments in Black Ensemble's 35-year history
Most arts organizations have carefully worded mission statements, filled with arty buzzwords and forged by groups. Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater's mission statement was written by one woman and just gets right down to it: "to eradicate racism." Most...Tags: Tennessee Williams, Music Industry, Cinderella (fictional character), Concerts, Muddy Waters
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New Pennsylvania Blues Festival successful enough to promise second year
Lehigh Valley Music presents FESTBLOGThe stated goal of the first Pennsylvania Blues Festival at Blue Mountain Ski Area near Palmerton was to keep the same vibe as its predecessor, the Pocono Blues Festival at Big Boulder Ski Area. On that measure, the festival was...... -
Norfolk's Discovery concert series to return with Pokey LaFarge, Magic Slim, Cowboy Junkies
Norfolk's Discovery Music Series has been importing high-quality, slightly-under-the-radar acts for years now. It's great to see that the series is still alive and kicking. Staff members announced the fall 2011-winter 2012 shows this week. As has been the...Tags: File Sharing, Music Industry, Arts, Duke Ellington, Fine Arts
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Jan 31, 2012
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Dec 22, 2011
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Jan 20, 2012
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Jan 31, 2012
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Sep 19, 2011
| Allentown Morning Call
Jun 5, 2011
|Column| Chicago Tribune
Nov 4, 2011
|Column| Chicago Tribune
Aug 1, 2011
| Allentown Morning Call
Aug 16, 2011
|Story| Daily Press
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