Chip Taylor, the legendary songwriter behind one of the most instantly recognizable songs of all time, has passed away at 86. It’s a quiet loss, but one that echoes loudly through generations of music, film, and family.
The news broke in a low-key but heartfelt way, shared by Grammy-winning singer Billy Vera when the mourning man revealed on social media that Chip died Monday night while in hospice care. No official cause of death has been confirmed, according to TMZ — a fact which only adds to the somber, reflective tone surrounding his passing.
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For those who may not immediately recognize his name, you absolutely know his work.
Chip was the creative force behind Wild Thing, the raw, unforgettable anthem made famous by The Troggs:
He also penned Angel of the Morning, a hauntingly beautiful track first recorded by Merrilee Rush that has lived many lives through countless covers:
So, basically, his songwriting topped charts and shaped eras.
But his legacy goes beyond music charts and radio play. Born James Wesley Voight, he was the brother of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, making him the uncle of Angelina Jolie and James Haven. It’s a family tree filled with creative fire, and Chip’s branch burned with its own unique brilliance.
He wasn’t just a behind-the-scenes genius, either. Chip stepped into the spotlight himself in the 1970s, releasing albums like Chip Taylor’s Last Chance and This Side of the Big River, proving his voice was as authentic as his pen. And in true larger-than-life fashion, he also spent time as a professional gambler, reportedly excelling at blackjack. A life lived fully, unpredictably, and on his own terms.
There’s something deeply poignant about artists like Taylor. They may not always be household names, but their work becomes part of the fabric of our lives, playing in the background of memories we don’t even realize we’re forming. Now, that voice, that pen, and that spirit is gone. But the music? That stays.
Rest in peace.
[Image via Jeff Grossman/MEGA/WENN]
