Chip Taylor, Legendary Songwriter of 'Wild Thing,' Passes Away at 86
Chip Taylor, the celebrated American songwriter and musician best known for penning the enduring rock anthem "Wild Thing," has died at the age of 86 after a battle with cancer. His career spanned an impressive seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry with compositions recorded by a vast array of iconic artists.
The Song That Defined a Generation
Taylor's most famous creation, "Wild Thing," was written in a mere matter of minutes in 1965. Initially commissioned for Jordan Christopher and the Wild Ones, their version failed to chart. However, when the British band The Troggs recorded it the following year, it skyrocketed to the top of the US charts and became a global sensation. Taylor himself praised The Troggs' rendition, calling it "one of the greatest rock records ever made in terms of capturing the spirit of the song." He noted that their version closely mirrored the raw energy of his original demo.
The song's legendary status was further cemented when Jimi Hendrix performed it at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, famously setting his Fender Stratocaster guitar on fire. This iconic moment propelled both the song and Hendrix into rock and roll immortality.
From Rock Anthem to Country Ballad
In stark contrast to the primal energy of "Wild Thing," Taylor's second most famous composition, "Angel of the Morning," is a poignant country-flavored ballad. Inspired by the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," the song's epic chorus and themes of illicit love resonated deeply. Merrilee Rush took it to No. 4 on the US charts in 1968, a feat replicated by Juice Newton in 1981. The song has been covered by a diverse range of artists including Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, and The Pretenders. It also formed the foundation for Shaggy's 2001 international chart-topper "Angel."
A Life of Diverse Passions
Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York, Taylor came from a family of high achievers. His father, Elmer Voight, was a professional golfer, and his older brother is the acclaimed actor Jon Voight, making Taylor the uncle of actress Angelina Jolie. Initially, Taylor considered a career in golf, following in his father's footsteps.
His musical inspiration struck at age seven after seeing the Hollywood musical My Wild Irish Rose. "I was just mesmerised by the music," he recalled. He began absorbing blues and country music from the radio, eventually forming the band The Town and Country Brothers in high school. A demo tape landed them a deal with King Records, where he acquired the stage name "Chip Taylor"—"Chip" for his golf skills and "Taylor" reportedly because label executives feared disc jockeys would struggle to pronounce "Voight."
Career Highs and Personal Challenges
After studying business at the University of Hartford, Taylor's songwriting career took off when Burt Bacharach championed his song "Here I Am." Signing with publisher Aaron Schroeder in New York, Taylor became a sought-after songwriter throughout the 1960s and 1970s. While his solo albums like Last Chance (1973) received critical praise, they did not achieve major commercial success.
Following a string of unsuccessful solo efforts in the 1980s, Taylor stepped away from music to become a professional gambler, developing expert card-counting skills at blackjack tables that led to bans from several casinos. He later conquered this gambling addiction and returned to music in 1993.
Later Career and Legacy
Taylor's creative resurgence included a fruitful partnership with violinist and vocalist Carrie Rodriguez, resulting in albums like Let's Leave This Town (2002). He continued to release solo work on his own Train Wreck Records label, with his final album, Words from Holy Gardens, inspired by his late wife Joan Carol Frey and released just six weeks before his own passing.
In 2016, Taylor was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he performed "Wild Thing" accompanied by his granddaughters. He is survived by his children, Kristian and Kelly, his grandchildren, and his brothers.
Chip Taylor's legacy is that of a versatile and prolific songwriter whose work, from the raw power of "Wild Thing" to the tender melancholy of "Angel of the Morning," continues to resonate across generations and genres.
