She recently came close to death; now, about to headline the Japan Blues & Soul Carnival, Koko Taylor talks about her 50-year career — and the future of blues
At 78, Koko Taylor would be forgiven if the only rocking she wanted to do was in a chair. But the veteran blues belter isn't one to forsake the stage, where she still rocks, rolls, struts and strolls like a woman half her age.
"They ain't got no retirement age on singing," she says, laughing over the phone from her Chicago home ahead of her headlining appearance at the Japan Blues & Soul Carnival this month.