Writer of 'Wild Thing,' 'Angel of the Morning' Was 86

Key Points:

• Chip Taylor, the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee known for writing “Angel of the Morning” and “Wild Thing,” died at age 86 while in hospice care, as reported by singer Billy Vera.
• Born James Wesley Voight, Taylor was the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Jolie, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016 with his brother's support.
• “Wild Thing” became a No. 1 hit for the Troggs in 1966 and is considered one of the first punk records, famously covered by Jimi Hendrix and others, while “Angel of the Morning” achieved success through multiple artists including Juice Newton and Merrilee Rush.
• Taylor had a long career as a songwriter and performer, writing songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, and others, and later contributing to the Americana music scene with albums like “F**k All the Perfect People” and “Whiskey Salesman.”
• His songwriting legacy includes collaborations with Billy Vera and hits that have been featured in films and TV, ensuring his influence on rock, country, and popular music across decades.