Chip Taylor, Acclaimed Songwriter Behind ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning,’ Dies at 86
Chip Taylor, the legendary songwriter responsible for penning definitive rock and pop anthems like “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” has passed away at age 86. His record label, Train Wreck Records, announced the news of his death on Tuesday (March 24).
While no specific cause of death was disclosed, his legacy remains etched in the foundation of modern music. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Taylor composed a catalog that crossed genres and generations, providing material for a diverse array of icons including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, and Tina Turner.
Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York, in 1940, Taylor was the youngest of three brothers—one of whom is the Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight. Before finding his footing in the music industry, Taylor initially pursued a professional golf career, following the path of his father, Elmer Voight. After playing collegiately in South Carolina, he eventually returned to New York, adopted his stage moniker, and transitioned into a full-time singer-songwriter.
His breakthrough arrived with “Wild Thing,” a track that became a cultural phenomenon. The song reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40 through three different interpretations: most famously as a No. 1 hit by The Troggs in 1966, a satirical version by Senator Bobby in 1967, and a glam-rock rendition by Fancy in 1974. Perhaps its most iconic moment came in 1967, when Jimi Hendrix famously set his guitar ablaze after performing the track at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Taylor’s songwriting prowess was further cemented by “Angel of the Morning.” The ballad became a top 10 staple twice—first via Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts in 1968, and later through Juice Newton’s 1981 cover. The song’s longevity was proven once more in 2001 when it was interpolated into Shaggy’s chart-topping hit “Angel.”
In 2016, Taylor received one of the industry’s highest honors with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. During an interview with Billboard at the time, he reflected on the deliberate craftsmanship behind his hits, noting that the “silence” within “Wild Thing” was just as vital as the lyrics. “I wanted to stop and say something to this girl… The silence in ‘Wild Thing’ is the most important thing,” he recalled.
Beyond writing for others, Taylor was an industrious performer in his own right, releasing over 30 albums between 1971 and 2023.
Taylor was preceded in death by his wife and middle school sweetheart, Joan Voight, who passed away in June of last year. He is survived by his two children, Kristian and Kelly, and five grandchildren. In memory of the songwriter, the family has requested that donations be made to the Metropolitan Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Fund, a cause that remained close to Taylor’s heart throughout his life.
