The Sounds Of America: 'Wang Dang Doodle'

1A

14-05-2023 • 19 mins

It made for an unlikely hit in 1966.

The authentic Chicago blues sound of "Wang Dang Doodle" packed a punch and put a hole through the popular and poppier tunes at the time.

Koko Taylor was born Cora Walton in Tennessee in 1935. For this song, she teamed up with blues composer, bassist, and producer Willie Dixon.

She was backed by a team that included Buddy Guy and a cast of characters featuring "Automatic Slim" and "Razor Totin' Jim."Taylor went on to become one of the great voices of Chicago Blues. But what is a "Wang Dang Doodle?"

We hear from singer Bonnie Raitt, actor Dan Akroyd, artist Shemekia Copeland, and producer Bruce Iglauer.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find out how to connect with us by visiting our website.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

You Might Like

The Daily
The Daily
The New York Times
Serial
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
The Decibel
The Decibel
The Globe and Mail
The Big Story
The Big Story
Frequency Podcast Network
CANADALAND
CANADALAND
CANADALAND
The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
Manscorp Media Services
The Rachel Maddow Show
The Rachel Maddow Show
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC
Morning Joe
Morning Joe
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC
Economist Podcasts
Economist Podcasts
The Economist
The Dan Bongino Show
The Dan Bongino Show
Cumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino