Chip Taylor, the incredibly prolific songwriter responsible for iconic tracks like “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” passed away on Monday, March 23, at the age of 86. His passing was confirmed by his record label, Train Wreck. No cause of death was publicly disclosed.
An inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Taylor, born James Wesley Voight, was the sibling of actor Jon Voight and geologist Barry Voight. He was also the uncle to acclaimed actress Angelina Jolie and actor James Haven.
Taylor composed his inaugural song at the tender age of 12, as detailed in a 2023 profile by The Guardian, and by 16, he was already fronting Wes Voight and the Town Three. After touring with Neil Sedaka and adopting the stage name Chip Taylor, he started releasing material with Warner Bros. Records. His first chart success came in 1962 with the single “Here I Am.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Taylor released numerous albums and singles, solidifying his reputation as one of his era’s most accomplished songwriters. His initial major hit, “Wild Thing,” was first recorded in 1965 by Jordan Christopher and the Wild Ones, before becoming a colossal hit in 1966 for the Troggs. Its legendary status was cemented by a live performance from Jimi Hendrix at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, where the guitarist famously set his instrument ablaze. “Wild Thing” went on to be famously covered by artists such as the Runaways, the Muppets, and X.
Regarding the track, Taylor once remarked to The Guardian, “Many people don’t grasp the beauty of space in a song. ‘Wild Thing’ still gives me shivers; when I play the chords and you understand its essence. It’s a wonderful sensation.”
“Angel of the Morning,” initially recorded by Sands in 1967, also stands as one of Taylor’s most enduring creations. Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts covered the song, taking it to Number Seven on the Hot 100 in 1968. Then, thirteen years later, Juice Newton’s rendition sold over a million copies, propelling it to Number Four. Shaggy later interpolated the 1967 classic into his 2001 hit “Angel,” which soared to Number One in 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
“‘Angel of the Morning’ is such a vibrant song and composed itself incredibly fast,” Taylor shared with The Guardian. “I believe it was inspired by a war film I’d watched the previous night, depicting two lovers from opposing sides of a conflict seizing every moment they had together. People mistakenly viewed it as a fleeting affair, but that was far from my intention. This represented the profound love between two individuals who might never reunite — a love destined to endure forever and beyond time. It was a deeply serious piece.”
Taylor engaged in collaborations with a diverse array of musicians and fellow songwriters throughout his career. His extensive catalog features “He Sits at Your Table,” recorded by Willie Nelson; “I Can’t Let Go” (co-written with Al Gorgoni, initially recorded by Evie Sands, and later popularized by the Hollies in 1966 and again by Linda Ronstadt in 1980); and the infectiously catchy “Any Way That You Want Me,” a track covered by numerous artists, most notably by the Troggs.
“I simply try to allow my spirit to wander, and then I endeavor to catch up to it,” Taylor explained while discussing his songwriting process during a Speaking Freely television interview. “My sole desire was to write material that evoked emotion within me.”