Chip Taylor, the renowned songwriter celebrated for penning iconic tracks such as “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” passed away at the age of 86. His family confirmed that he died peacefully on Monday night while in hospice care.
Born James Wesley Voight on March 21, 1940, in Yonkers, New York, Taylor initially aimed for a career in golf before dedicating himself to music. He signed with April Blackwood, a label that later became part of major companies including EMI and Sony Music, launching a prolific songwriting career.
In a significant development, Taylor’s composition “Wild Thing” gained worldwide fame after The Troggs recorded it in 1966. The song was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019 and famously performed by Jimi Hendrix. The following year, “Angel of the Morning” was first recorded by Evie Sands and subsequently covered by numerous artists, further cementing Taylor’s influence in the music industry.
Notably, Taylor also wrote songs for legendary performers such as Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin. Beyond songwriting, he released multiple albums and established his own independent label, Train Wreck Records, in 2007.
His children, Kristian and Kelly, shared a statement expressing their sorrow: “His last days were peaceful. Chip cherished the incredible gift of connecting with people through music and truly valued this community. He considered you all friends. We will miss him deeply.”
Chip Taylor is survived by his two children and five grandchildren. His wife, Joan Carole Frey, passed away in 2025. He was also the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to actress Angelina Jolie.
