'Queen of the Blues' Koko Taylor's Treasured Belongings Sold at Chicago Flea Market
Personal possessions of legendary Chicago blues singer Koko Taylor were unexpectedly sold at a flea market after a junk dealer purchased the contents of her storage locker in Orland Park. Items once belonging to the world-renowned “Queen of the Blues” ended up laid out on makeshift tables, available to anyone with a few dollars in hand.
Unexpected Discovery
Ben Lewis stumbled upon the collection while browsing through a booth at a Back of the Yards flea market. As he looked through photographs, greeting cards, and business papers, he suddenly realized each item bore the same name — Koko Taylor.
“It was like a deer in the headlights moment,” Lewis said after recognizing the name on everything he picked up.
In that instant, he understood he was surrounded by irreplaceable mementos from one of blues music’s most powerful and influential voices.
Priceless Memorabilia on Display
The assortment included photographs of Taylor with President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and “Blues Brothers” actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Bonnie Raitt wrote on a signed photo, “So great to be on the same show finally!!”
There were also autographed pictures from Etta James and the band Styx, along with her Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year. Dozens of handwritten song lyrics, including those from her 2013 piece “Ernestine,” were part of the collection, as well as holiday cards and personal notes.
Legacy Scattered
These items, reflecting Taylor’s groundbreaking career and connections across musical genres, now stand as a poignant reminder of how fragile artistic legacies can become when neglected.
Author’s summary: Koko Taylor’s personal treasures, once symbols of her blues legacy, surfaced at a Chicago flea market after years forgotten in storage.