BMI Remembers Legendary Songwriter Chip Taylor

BMI was very saddened to learn of the passing of renowned songwriter Chip Taylor, who died Monday night at the age of 86. Taylor was the writer behind beloved classics such as “Angel of the Morning,” famously recorded by both Merrilee Rush and Juice Newton, “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” by Janis Ian and revered garage-rock staple “Wild Thing” by The Troggs, among many others.

A true songsmith, Taylor affiliated with BMI in 1958, showing a creative versatility by writing across genres and crafting rock, pop and country hits for a long list of varied musical luminaries. Artists who have recorded Taylor’s songs include the Hollies, Willie Nelson, Lita Ford, Janis Joplin, Marshall Crenshaw, Fats Domino, Waylon Jennings, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Anne Murray, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra and many more. Beyond his inimitable contributions to those discographies, Taylor also pursued his own career as a prolific recording artist, releasing 30 solo albums and earning accolades as a pioneer in the alt.country movement.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Taylor won four BMI Awards, notably for the songs “Angel,” “Son of a Rotten Gambler” “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning.” In 2001, Taylor was given BMI’s Six Million-Air certificate for his classic hit “Angel of the Morning.” In 2016, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Though his musical legacy will live on, Chip Taylor will be deeply missed by his friends, fans and family at BMI.