Chip Taylor, 'Wild Thing' songwriter and Angelina Jolie's uncle, dies at 86

Angelina Jolie’s famed songwriter uncle has passed away.

Chip Taylor, the creative force behind the iconic 1966 rock hit “Wild Thing,” passed at 86 while in hospice care on Monday, as confirmed by Taylor’s friend and Grammy-winning producer, Billy Vera.

He passed just a short time after celebrating his birthday.

“Farewell, Chip Taylor, my dear friend and songwriting guide,” Vera shared on Instagram.

The musical legend, originally named James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, New York, in 1940, was the sibling of actor Jon Voight and uncle to big screen icon Jolie and her brother, James Haven. Nonetheless, he built an impressive legacy all on his own.

Taylor’s breakthrough came with “Wild Thing” — a raw, rebellious tune that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for The Troggs in 1966, fueling the garage-rock surge.

In 2023, Taylor shared that this hit was created in no time. Upon receiving a call from The Troggs’ producer seeking fresh material, inspiration struck him the moment he hung up with his guitar in hand.

“After hanging up, I started playing the guitar and ‘Wild Thing’ just emerged effortlessly,” he explained to The Independent.

“My window overlooked Broadway, filled with beautiful women passing by. It infused the song's spirit. It was truly a New York moment…”

Besides “Wild Thing,” Taylor wrote a series of timeless hits, including “Angel of the Morning,” famously recorded by Merrilee Rush, along with songs performed by greats like Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, Cliff Richard, and The Hollies.

Many have paid tribute to the prolific songwriter, with musician Allan Jones praising Taylor as both a storytelling genius and a hit-maker.

“He performed at Twickenham Exchange years ago, alongside John Platiana, Van Morrison’s longtime guitarist,” Jones recounted.

“It was unforgettable not only for the beautiful songs but also for Taylor's rich collection of incredible and humorous stories, which filled much of the memorable evening.

“He was as adept at storytelling as he was at songwriting.”

Taylor’s work spanned decades, with memorable hits like “I Can’t Let Go,” performed by artists including Evie Sands and Linda Ronstadt, and collaborations including “He Sits at Your Table” with Nelson.

Not just behind the scenes, Taylor released his albums in the 1970s and later launched his independent label, Train Wreck Records, in 2007.