Chip Taylor, Acclaimed Songwriter and Americana Artist, Dies at 85
themusicsover 
Chip Taylor, the songwriter behind some of the most enduring tracks of the 1960s, died on March 23, closing the book on a career that moved easily between chart success, cult rediscovery, and late-life reinvention.
Born James Wesley Voight on March 21, 1940, Taylor built his reputation not as a frontman, but as a writer with a knack for songs that traveled. His most famous composition, “Wild Thing,” became a defining hit for the Troggs in 1966, its raw simplicity helping to shape garage rock. That same year, he wrote “Angel of the Morning,” later recorded by Merrilee Rush and revived decades later by artists across genres, from country to pop.
Taylor’s songs had a way of finding new life. “Wild Thing” would be reinterpreted by Jimi Hendrix in a now-legendary performance at Monterey, while “Angel of the Morning” became a standard that never quite left the radio, most famously by Juice Newton. His writing carried a directness that made it adaptable, whether filtered through rock grit or polished pop.
Though he found success early, Taylor stepped away from the music business in the 1970s, turning instead to professional gambling. It was an unexpected pivot, but one that mirrored his restless nature. When he returned to music decades later, it was on his own terms, leaning into a more reflective, roots-oriented sound that aligned with the Americana movement.
In his later years, Taylor recorded a steady run of albums, often collaborating with Carrie Rodriguez. The work didn’t chase past glories. Instead, it felt lived-in, grounded in storytelling and a quieter sense of purpose, the kind of second act few songwriters manage to pull off.
What You Should Own
.jpg)
