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- Chip Taylor: the songwriter behind enduring hits
- How “Wild Thing” became a rock anthem
- “Angel of the Morning”: a song that crossed genres
- Who covered Chip Taylor’s songs
- Final days and family announcement
- Responses from family, friends and peers
- How Taylor’s songs continue to appear in media
- Legacy: a songwriter who shaped many soundtracks
Chip Taylor, the prolific songwriter whose melodies shaped rock and pop for generations, has died at 86. News of his passing came Monday, stirring tributes from family, fellow musicians and fans who remember him for hits that became cultural touchstones.
Chip Taylor: the songwriter behind enduring hits
Born James Wesley Voight Jr., Taylor built a quiet but powerful legacy as a composer. He penned songs that moved beyond charts to become part of film, sport and wrestling lore. Two of his most famous tunes, “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning”, have been recorded and reimagined by dozens of artists.
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How “Wild Thing” became a rock anthem
Taylor wrote “Wild Thing” in the early 1960s. The Wild Ones first recorded it, but a raw, garage-rock version by The Troggs in 1966 turned it into an international hit.
- The Troggs’ take charted worldwide and has been recognized by the music establishment.
- In 2019 the recording was honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame for its lasting influence.
Since then, the song lived many lives. It was covered, sampled and used in moments that cemented it as a cultural emblem.
Notable reinterpretations and pop-culture moments
- Jimi Hendrix gave the song a distinctive, electrified treatment.
- The Runaways and Jeff Beck each added their own stylistic twists.
- Punk band X recorded a version later used as the entrance theme for a fictional baseball hero in the film Major League.
- Modern performers and athletes have also adopted the track as a signature theme.
“Angel of the Morning”: a song that crossed genres
Another of Taylor’s major compositions, “Angel of the Morning”, enjoyed multiple successful recordings. Early versions by Evie Sands and Merrilee Rush paved the way for Juice Newton’s later hit rendition.
The song’s melody and chorus have proven adaptable. In 2001, reggae-tinged pop artist Shaggy interpolated its hook in his single “Angel,” introducing Taylor’s phrasing to a new audience.
Who covered Chip Taylor’s songs
Taylor’s catalog attracted a broad swath of performers. His work found homes in rock, pop, punk and beyond.
- Jimi Hendrix
- The Troggs
- The Wild Ones
- The Runaways
- Jeff Beck
- X
- Juice Newton, Merrilee Rush, Evie Sands
Final days and family announcement
According to his daughter Kelly’s communication with The New York Times, Taylor died after a battle with cancer. The family posted to social media to share that his final hours were calm.
They emphasized how much he treasured making connections through music and how he viewed his listeners as friends. The post said the family will miss him deeply.
Responses from family, friends and peers
Chip Taylor was the brother of actor Jon Voight. Voight spoke briefly to the press after the news, expressing personal loss and a sense of protection from his sibling’s spirit.
Songwriter and singer Billy Vera described Taylor as both a friend and a mentor and noted that he passed while in hospice care.
How Taylor’s songs continue to appear in media
Taylor’s compositions have appeared across film and performance arenas. “Wild Thing” in particular has been used to set a tone in movies and live events.
- Major League featured X’s cover for a memorable character entrance.
- Professional wrestlers across eras, including performers in All Elite Wrestling, have adopted versions of the song for entrances.
- Countless film and television soundtracks have relied on Taylor’s memorable hooks.
Legacy: a songwriter who shaped many soundtracks
For decades, Taylor wrote songs that kept reappearing in unexpected places. His work bridged generations and genres. That influence is visible in covers, samples and the steady presence of his songs in popular culture.
