Songwriter Chip Taylor has died just two days after his 89thbirthday. Taylor was best known for the 1960s hit song “Wild Thing” by The Troggs.
Billy Vera revealed news of Taylor’s death. The singer, songwriter, and producer shared the sad news on social media about his good friend and colleague.
Taking to Instagram, Vera posted a photo of him with Taylor on the red carpet. Vera kept the caption simple, revealing only that he had lost his friend.
“RIP: Chip Taylor, my friend and songwriting mentor, last night in hospice,” read the caption.
According to TMZ, Taylor died on Monday, March 23, after spending time in hospice care. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Taylor spent his life in music, writing hits like “Angel of the Morning,” originally recorded by Evie Sands. It was later recorded by Juice Newton and became a popular country song in the 1980s. The song was also interpolated for Shaggy’s 2001 song “Angel.”
Some of his other popular songs include Willie Nelson’s “He Sits at Your Table,” “I Can’t Let Go,” recorded by Evie Sands, the Hollies, and Linda Ronstadt, and “Worry” by Johnny Tillotson.
Taylor released his own music, too. His first song, “Here I Am,” came out in 1962. The songwriter even had his own label, Train Wreck Records, which released various types of music, including folk and country.
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The singer and songwriter was born James Wesley Voight. He was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to actress Angelina Jolieand James Haven.
Taylor led a quiet, simple life in New York City with his late wife, Joan Carole Frey, who died in June 2025. Along with Voight and Jolie, Taylor is survived by his two children, son James, daughter Kelly, and three grandchildren, Riley, Samantha, and Kate.
RIP Chip Taylor. Our thoughts are with the family at this time.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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