'Wild Thing' Songwriter Was 86
Deadline • • general
Key Points:
- Chip Taylor, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter known for hits like "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning," has died at the age of 86, according to a statement from his children Kris and Kelly.
- Born James Wesley Voight, Taylor was the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle of Angelina Jolie, and he passed away peacefully in hospice on Monday night.
- Taylor wrote iconic songs such as "Wild Thing," famously recorded by The Troggs and covered by Jimi Hendrix, and "Angel of the Morning," which has been covered by numerous artists including Dusty Springfield and Olivia Newton-John.
- Throughout his career, Taylor wrote songs for legendary artists like Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, and Tina Turner, and released solo and group albums while running his independent label Train Wreck Records.
- He is survived by his two children and five grandchildren; his wife Joan Carole Frey died last year, and the family requests donations to the Metropolitan Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.
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