Prolific singer-songwriter Chip Taylor has died at the age of 86.
On Tuesday, a representative from his music label, Train Wreck Records, announced that the Grammy Award nominee had passed away the previous day.
A cause of death wasn’t disclosed.
“His storied career and contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark on many generations of musicians and fans,” they wrote. “Although Chip will be greatly missed, his music will live on and continue to inspire for years to come.”
Born in Yonkers, New York in 1940, Taylor – real name James Wesley Voight – was the brother of actor Jon Voight and the uncle of actress Angelina Jolie.
After entering the music industry, his first hit was Wild Thing, which was popularised by the British rock band the Troggs in 1966, and famously performed by Jimi Hendrix the following year.
In addition, Taylor was known for penning the track Angel of the Morning, first recorded by Evie Sands in 1967.
“Known for songs that captured the emotion and spirit of the times, Chip created a catalogue 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,” an obituary reads.
After taking a hiatus, Taylor started performing and recording again in 1993 and launched his independent label, Train Wreck Records, in 2007.
The music star was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.
Taylor’s wife, Joan Carol Frey, died last year. The couple shared two children, Kristian and Kelly, and had five grandchildren.
