Sylent's blog: "Music"

Today, Sad to say Farrah Fawcett passed away after her long struggle with Cancer.  My condolences to her friends and family.  However, that is not what this blog is about.  

Its about something that really bothers the hell out of me recently.

June 3rd. KoKo Taylor passed away from complications from a gastrointestinal surgery.

June 4th.  David Carradine passed away.

Why is it that David Carradine's passing is so much more important than KoKo Taylor's?  Understandably, he was huge due to his roles in Kung-Fu and Kill Bill..  but really?  Ok so there is mystery surrounding his death.  Truth comes out after his passing that he was into Erotic Asphyxiation.  But Really? Does he deserve a full page in June 19ths version Of Entertainment Weekly?

What did KoKo Taylor get?  Nothing.  She passed away one day before Carradine.  And for those of you who are not as attuned to the Blues as I am, may not know who she is...  so with that being said, let me run down some of the amazing accomplisments that this womas has acheived.

• Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album - 1985
• Howlin' Wolf Award - 1996
• Blues Hall of Fame - Inducted 1997
• Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award - 1999
• NEA National Heritage Fellowship - 2004
• Blues Music Award (formerly the W. C. Handy Award) - 24 times, including the following categories:
  • Contemporary Blues Female Artist
  • Entertainer of the Year
  • Female Artist
  • Traditional Blues Female Artist
  • Vocalist of the Year
• At age 76 in 2004, she appeared as a special guest with Taj Mahal on an episode of Arthur.
• At age 80 in 2008, she appeared as a special guest with Umphrey's McGee at their New Year's Eve performance at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago.
• Taylor won for best blues album in the 7th annual Independent Music Awards

She was still performing one month before she passed away.  On top of those small acheivements that she received that I mentioned, She was self taught in music, and has played with greats such as Buddy Guy, my personal favorite Stevie Ray Vaughn, Keb 'Mo, BB King, Kenny Wayne Sheppard and so forth.

Undeniably she is the Queen of the Blues.

But what did Entertainment Weekly give her in the June 19th issue?  nothing.  Not even a mention of her passing.  Sad sad sad thing for someone who gave so much to the Music industry. 

Oh Wait...  She got a 2 sentence spot on EW.com.  starting with "According to CNN.COM"  

wow.

Now, like I said, not everyone is as in tune with the Blues as I am... And that is fine.  KoKo is more deserving than that.   Really?  2 sentences?  

R.I.P. KoKo Taylor.  Institues like Entertainment Weekly may not give a rats ass, but fans do.  And thats all that matters.