Chip Taylor, the Grammy-nominated songwriter best known for penning such classics as ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning’, has sadly died aged 86.Taylor, born James Wesley Voight, died Monday night in hospital. An official statement by his children Kristian and Kelly confirmed the report. Announcing the news in a social media post, his children wrote: “Hi everyone, we are saddened to say that Chip passed away last night. His last days were peaceful. Chip’s ability to connect with people through music was an amazing blessing to this community that he loved and truly cherished. Everyone considered you a helper. We will miss him very much.”Taylor is survived by her two children and five grandchildren, with whom she recorded her 2011 hit ‘Kids to Save the Planet’. Joan Carole Frey, wife of over 60 years, passed away last year.Born on March 21, 1940, Taylor was the brother of a Hollywood star Jon Voight and uncle Angelina Jolie. He started out as a professional golfer before moving on to music like his father. He went on to sign with April Blackwood, and his song legacy is ‘Wild Thing’, recorded by The Troggs in 1966 and later performed by Jimi Hendrix. Another major hit was ‘Angel of the Morning’ recorded by Evie Sands in 1967, which has since been covered by artists including Dusty Springfield and Olivia Newton-John.During his career, Taylor also wrote songs for music legends such as Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt and Tina Turner. He was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019.
