Chip Taylor

Chip Taylor, the singer and songwriter who wrote "Wild Thing," a chart-topper for the Troggs, and "Angel of the Morning," made famous by Juice Newton, died March 23, 2026, in hospice care at the age of 86.

In a career spanning six decades, Taylor showed that a great song needs only a handful of words and the right kind of nerve. He then proved it twice over, with a two-chord rock anthem that still fills stadiums and a tender ballad that has broken hearts across generations.

Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York on March 21, 1940, Taylor was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight. He discovered a love for music after his parents took him to see the 1947 movie musical "My Wild Irish Rose." He later recalled that the show's music spoke to him and changed his life. Taylor attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, then briefly went to the University of Hartford.

Taylor entered the music world as a singer, going under the name Wes Voight and making several recordings in the late '50s and early '60s. But as he struggled to find recognition, he realized his true strength might be in writing music for others, and he pledged to focus on that. His first big success came when the Troggs recorded his song "Wild Thing" in 1966. They took the track to No. 1 and secured its place in rock music history.

Another major hit for Taylor was "Angel of the Morning." Taylor wrote it in 1967 after listening to the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," and it first found success with the 1968 version recorded by Merrilee Rush. Juice Newton covered it in 1981, selling more than a million copies and nearing the top of the charts.

The many other songs written or co-written by Taylor include Janis Joplin's "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)," Cliff Richard's "On My Word," "Billy Vera's "Country Girl City Man," and Johnny Tillotson's "Worry."

Though he focused much of his energy on songwriting, Taylor also maintained a recording career for decades, releasing about two dozen solo albums. His most recent release was 2025's "The Truth and Other Things."

Taylor stepped away from the music business in the early '80s, frustrated by his record label's failure to promote his latest single. For nearly 15 years, he was a professional gambler, favoring blackjack and horse races. He returned to music in 1995, recording for indie labels instead of majors. These included Train Wreck Records, the label he founded in 1997.

Taylor was a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, inducted in 2016. He is survived by his daughters, Kelly and Kristian; his brothers, Jon and Barry; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan.

By Linnea Crowther

(Image: Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)