Chip Taylor, the songwriter behind one of rock’s most instantly recognizable riffs, has died at 86. he also happens to be Angelina Jolie’s uncle, proving that talent runs deep in the family.
Born James Wesley Voight, Taylor passed away Monday, March 23, in hospice care, according to his label, Train Wreck Records. An official cause of death has not been confirmed. His death came just two days after his 86th birthday, on March 21.
“Known for songs that captured the emotion and spirit of the times, Chip created a catalog over a six decade career that included works for a diverse range of artists including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, Shaggy, and Tina Turner,” his obituary read in part.
He is survived by his two children, Kris and Kelly, and five grandchildren. “His last days were peaceful,” his kids shared on his Instagram account. “Chip loved the amazing blessing it was to connect with people through music and truly appreciated this community. He considered you all friends. We will miss him greatly.” Their mother, Joan, whom he married in 1964, before they divorced and remarried, passed away in 2025. “Above all else, Chip loved his girl, Joan. At 16, he recorded his first song, Little Joan, for his middle school sweetheart, Joan Carol Frey, who became his wife and the great love of his life,” his obituary continues.
© GettyThe news quickly rippled through the music world, where his work has quietly shaped decades of sound. If you’ve ever heard the opening chords of “Wild Thing,” you already know his legacy.
The track, recorded by The Troggs in 1966, shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and never really left the culture. It was already a rock staple, but it was immortalized when Jimi Hendrix lit his guitar on fire mid-performance at the Monterey Pop festival in 1967.
© GettyBut Taylor wasn’t a one-hit name. He also wrote “Angel of the Morning,” first recorded by Evie Sands, before it made the charts with Merrilee Rush. It was later reintroduced to a new generation through Juice Newton’s chart-topping version in the early ’80s.
His catalog extended even further, including work with Janis Joplin on “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder),” proving his range across voices and eras.
Music ran in the family, but so did Hollywood. Taylor was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight, making him the uncle of Angelina and James Haven.
Outside the studio, his life was anything but predictable. Taylor stepped away from music at times to pursue professional gambling, becoming known in blackjack circles before eventually returning to songwriting and performing. He was open about how the addiction affected him and his family.
© Michael Ochs ArchivesIn the 1970s, he released his own albums, including Chip Taylor’s Last Chance and This Side of the Big River, offering a more personal glimpse into his artistry.
Even decades later, “Wild Thing” continued to follow him. As he reflected in a 2023 interview, “When I strike the chords, and you know the spirit of it, it’s a nice feeling.”
© Getty ImagesRest in peace.
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