Chip Taylor, Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Who Wrote ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning,’ Dies at 86

By Chris Willman

Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

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Chip Taylor, the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee who is best known for writing the classic hits “Angel of the Morning” and “Wild Thing,” died Monday at age 86.

The death was reported on social media by his friend, singer Billy Vera, who said that Taylor passed away while in hospice care. No immediate cause of death was given.

Although it sometimes came as a surprise to music fans who knew of his songwriting legacy but not his lineage, Taylor was part of a famous family, being the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Jolie. Voight was on hand to help induct his brother into the Songwriters Hall of Fame when Taylor received that honor in 2016.

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