Pop
Chip Taylor, songwriter behind Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning, dies aged 89
Chip Taylor, the acclaimed songwriter whose work included Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning, has died at 89, just days after his birthday.
Acclaimed songwriter Chip Taylor has died at the age of 89, just two days after marking his birthday.
The musician — whose catalogue includes the era‑defining hit Wild Thing, later immortalised by The Troggs — passed away on Monday (23.03.26).
The news was confirmed by his close friend Billy Vera, who shared a tribute on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair together.
Billy described Chip as both a mentor and a dear friend, noting that he died while in hospice care, as confirmed by TMZ.
A cause of death has not yet been made public.
Chip’s songwriting career spanned more than six decades and crossed genres with ease.
Among his most enduring works is Angel of the Morning, first recorded by Evie Sands before becoming a major hit for Juice Newton in the 1980s and later inspiring Shaggy’s chart‑topping Angel.
His songs were also recorded by some of music’s biggest names, including Willie Nelson (He Sits at Your Table), the Hollies and Linda Ronstadt (I Can’t Let Go), and Johnny Tillotson (Worry).
Alongside writing for others, Chip released his own material, beginning with his 1962 debut Here I Am. He later founded Train Wreck Records, a label that championed folk, country and Americana artists.
Born James Wesley Voight, Chip came from a well‑known family: he was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Jolie and James Haven.
He spent his later years living quietly in New York City with his wife Joan Carole Frey, who died in 2025. Chip is survived by his children, James and Kelly, and three grandchildren — Riley, Samantha and Kate.
