‘Queen of the Blues’ to Pay Her 1st Visit

In a high point of a very bluesy week, “the Queen of the Blues,” Koko Taylor will open for Johnny Winter Friday night at the Ventura Theatre.

Winter is an accomplished blues guitarist, and Taylor has a Grammy and 10 W. C. Handy awards, the blues version of the Oscars.

She is not only honored but also busy. Taylor averages more than 200 shows a year.

Her first hit came in 1964 when she recorded Willie Dixon’s “Wang Dang Doodle” for Chess Records.

And how’s this for odd? Taylor covers a song originally recorded by hard-rocker Ted Nugent, “Hey Baby.” That’s like a heavy metal band covering a Guy Lombardo song, except that it works.

Four of her last five records on the Alligator label have been nominated for Grammys.

This will be Taylor’s first Ventura appearance.

Tickets are $19.50, and the show will start at 9 p.m. The theater is at 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura.

For information call 648-1888.