Songwriter Chip Taylor, Author of “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” Dies at 86

Chip Taylor, the songwriter responsible for two era-defining hits, died on March 23. He was 86. His passing was confirmed by multiple outlets, with TMZ reporting he was in hospice care.

Born James Wesley Voight, Taylor’s legacy rests on the monumental success of two songs. “Wild Thing,” popularized by The Troggs in 1966, became a garage-rock anthem and a staple of 20th century culture. His “Angel of the Morning,” a hit for Merrilee Rush and later Juice Newton, defined a specific strain of melancholic pop. These compositions, covered by countless artists across genres, secured his place in the American songbook.

Beyond those hits, Taylor maintained a long career as a recording artist and songwriter, later finding a dedicated audience in the Americana and folk circuits. His work demonstrated a rare breadth, from raw rock and roll to nuanced country-pop storytelling.