The Queen of Blues' Treasures Sold at Chicago Flea Market Amid Circumstances of Her Daughter's Illness
Koko Taylor, a legendary blues singer known as the "Queen of the Blues" and considered the greatest female blues singer of her generation, left behind a treasure trove of memories and mementos after her passing in 2009. Recently, some of these prized possessions were sold at a Chicago flea market for pennies on the dollar.
The story begins with Louis Gonzaga, a Chicago-based junk dealer who purchased the contents of a storage locker in Orland Park via an online auction four months ago. Unbeknownst to him, he was buying into the legacy of Koko Taylor, whose name began appearing on photographs, greeting cards, and business documents for sale at the flea market.
Among the items sold were autographed photos from notable figures such as President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and even "Blues Brothers" John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The haul also included Koko Taylor's two 1985 W.C. Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year.
Ben Lewis, an artist who discovered the items at the flea market, couldn't believe his eyes as he combed through photographs, greeting cards, and business documents featuring the legendary singer. He eventually scooped up what he could – including handwritten song lyrics for $15 – and brought them home.
The story takes a poignant turn with the revelation that Koko Taylor's daughter, Joyce "Cookie" Threatt, is facing health issues, including undergoing heart surgery and being diagnosed with cancer. In an urgent attempt to reconnect with her late mother's belongings, Threatt has been trying to reach Gonzaga in hopes of retrieving the items sold at the flea market.
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum has expressed interest in donating some of the items purchased by Lewis to their collection, while Bruce Iglauer, Taylor's manager and president of Alligator Records, is attempting to buy what remains from Gonzaga and return it to Taylor's family. The museum is sympathetic to the circumstances surrounding the auction of Koko Taylor's storage locker and has assured that they will treat her legacy with care.
As for the fate of these treasured possessions, one thing is clear – the "Queen of the Blues" will continue to breathe life into those who admired her through her music.
Koko Taylor, a legendary blues singer known as the "Queen of the Blues" and considered the greatest female blues singer of her generation, left behind a treasure trove of memories and mementos after her passing in 2009. Recently, some of these prized possessions were sold at a Chicago flea market for pennies on the dollar.
The story begins with Louis Gonzaga, a Chicago-based junk dealer who purchased the contents of a storage locker in Orland Park via an online auction four months ago. Unbeknownst to him, he was buying into the legacy of Koko Taylor, whose name began appearing on photographs, greeting cards, and business documents for sale at the flea market.
Among the items sold were autographed photos from notable figures such as President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, James Brown, Eric Clapton, and even "Blues Brothers" John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The haul also included Koko Taylor's two 1985 W.C. Handy Awards for Blues Entertainer of the Year and Best Blues Vocalist of the Year.
Ben Lewis, an artist who discovered the items at the flea market, couldn't believe his eyes as he combed through photographs, greeting cards, and business documents featuring the legendary singer. He eventually scooped up what he could – including handwritten song lyrics for $15 – and brought them home.
The story takes a poignant turn with the revelation that Koko Taylor's daughter, Joyce "Cookie" Threatt, is facing health issues, including undergoing heart surgery and being diagnosed with cancer. In an urgent attempt to reconnect with her late mother's belongings, Threatt has been trying to reach Gonzaga in hopes of retrieving the items sold at the flea market.
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum has expressed interest in donating some of the items purchased by Lewis to their collection, while Bruce Iglauer, Taylor's manager and president of Alligator Records, is attempting to buy what remains from Gonzaga and return it to Taylor's family. The museum is sympathetic to the circumstances surrounding the auction of Koko Taylor's storage locker and has assured that they will treat her legacy with care.
As for the fate of these treasured possessions, one thing is clear – the "Queen of the Blues" will continue to breathe life into those who admired her through her music.
I'm literally shook by this story! I mean, can you even imagine stumbling upon all that Koko Taylor history at a flea market? It's like finding gold in Chicago 
. And the fact that it was sold for pennies on the dollar is just wild. 
. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for Joyce "Cookie" Threatt, trying to navigate through all these emotions while grieving for her mom.
. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum wanting to donate some of the items? Genius 
! And whoever ends up buying the rest from Louis Gonzaga? They're basically saving a piece of music history 
.
.
The fact that these items were being auctioned off due to the daughter's health issues just breaks my heart. I mean, can you believe the handwritten song lyrics of Koko Taylor went for like 15 bucks? 
On the other hand, its cool that the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum wants to add those items to their collection - it'll be amazing to see them preserved and shared with fans. But at the same time, I feel bad for Joyce Threatt having to go through all this while her mom's daughter is dealing with health issues... anyway, its just a reminder that even though Koko Taylor is no longer with us, her legacy lives on 
I mean what if someone just found some old stuff and didn't even know it was super rare? Like Louis Gonzaga could have sold all that history for like a few bucks without anyone caring. But now Joyce Threatt's mom is dealing with cancer and her daughter wants to hold onto those things because they're tied to her mom's legacy... that's really beautiful 
I was totally blown away by this story! I mean, you're talking about the Queen of Blues herself, Koko Taylor, and all these amazing memorabilia just being sold at a flea market for like pennies? It's crazy! 
But what really got me was that her daughter is going through some tough times, including cancer and heart surgery. Poor girl 
. I can only imagine how much it must be hurting her to think about getting back those things that belonged to her mom.
. It's a bittersweet story, but it's also a reminder that even when we're gone, our impact can keep going for a long time 
I feel so bad for Koko Taylor's daughter Cookie who's goin through cancer and heart surgery 
.
but like the museum in chicago wanna take care of some of it and bruce iglauer, her manager, is tryin to buy it all up too... i feel so bad for koko taylor's daughter cuz shes goin thru this but at least we get to see these awesome pics and artifacts now 
like, rite before her daughter was even diagnosed with cancer 
ben lewis bought some handwritten lyrics for $15 ! 
what's crazy is that the illinois rock & roll museum wanna donate some of the items 2 their collection 
meanwhile bruce iglauer, taylor's manager, is tryin to buy up all the rest w/ the intention of returnin it 2 her fam 
so yeah, koko's spirit lives on thru us music lovers 
. I mean, you'd think someone would try to sell them for a decent price before it goes back out there. But hey, at least the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum wants to help preserve her legacy 
. That would be amazing 
anywayz, ben lewis scooped up some amazing stuff including handwritten song lyrics 4 $15 lolol what a deal!!! 
and bruce iglauer is tryin to buy back all the good stuff for taylors family 
. I wonder how many other items from famous people are just chillin' at that flea market... waiting to be found by someone who needs 'em.
I mean, those autographed photos from Clinton, Nelson, Plant... what were they thinking? It's like they're saying "oh, she's not with us anymore, let's just cash in on her stuff" 
Anyway, it's good to hear that the museum wants to take care of some of these items and Bruce Iglauer is trying to help return them to Taylor's family 
The whole thing just feels so sad, ya know? This lady Koko Taylor was an icon and her daughter's in a tough spot with cancer... meanwhile we got these super rare items poppin' up at this flea market for like pennies on the dollar 