'Queen of the Blues' Koko Taylor's Prized Possessions Sold at Chicago Flea Market
A surprising discovery at a Chicago flea market revealed a collection of items once belonging to legendary blues singer Koko Taylor. After a junk dealer unknowingly purchased the contents of her Orland Park storage locker, the cherished memorabilia were offered for sale at low prices.
Ben Lewis stumbled upon the collection while browsing a market booth in the Back of the Yards. As he sifted through photographs, greeting cards, and business papers, he suddenly noticed a familiar name on nearly everything.
“I had a deer in the headlights moment,” Lewis said.
Realizing he was surrounded by personal belongings of Koko Taylor—the Chicago icon celebrated worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues”—Lewis was shocked that such valuable keepsakes were displayed on folding tables and in plastic bins for just a few dollars.
What the Collection Included
- Photographs 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, 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 from her 2013 song “Ernestine.”
- Personal greeting and Christmas cards.
Legacy Amid Lost Treasures
Taylor, revered for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence, remains a symbol of Chicago blues. The unexpected sale of her memorabilia offered a bittersweet reminder of her immense impact and the fragile fate of personal history when it goes unclaimed.
Author’s summary: The unexpected discovery of Koko Taylor’s belongings at a Chicago flea market underscores how easily priceless cultural artifacts can slip from memory into obscurity.