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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

Koko Taylor, a Chicago blues icon who was scheduled to appear at this year’s Jubilee!JAM, died today of complications following surgery on May 19th. She was 80 years old. More at Chicago Tribune and Jubilee!JAM news.

Previous Comments

Isn’t that the “Wang Dang Doodle” lady?

#148450 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Jun 4 2009

Sure is. I’ve been sad ever since I heard this news.

#148452 | Author: Lady Havoc | Date: Jun 4 2009

Oh no! How sad. RIP Ms. Taylor.

#148477 | Author: andi | Date: Jun 4 2009

I love the “Wang Dang Doodle”!

#148500 | Author: golden eagle | Date: Jun 5 2009

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.