Chip Taylor, the legendary songwriter who penned hits like Angel of the Morning and Wild Thing, has sadly died at the age of 86. Chip penned Wild Thing, which was made famous by The Troggs in 1966 and by Jimi Hendrix in 1967. He also wrote songs for stars like Willie Nelson, The Hollies, Cliff Richard and Janis Joplin. Chip was uncle to Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie and brother to US actor Jon Voight.

His friend Billy Vera - a Grammy-winning vocalist - announced the sad news on Instagram, writing: "RIP: Chip Taylor, my friend and songwriting mentor, last night in hospice." Billy went on: "He and I wrote some good ones: Make Me Belong to You (Barbara Lewis), Storybook Children (BV & Judy Clay, Nancy Sinatra), Papa Come Quick (Bonnie Raitt)."

Tributes were also paid by musician Allan Jones, who wrote: "RIP Chip Taylor, who's just died at 86. Among many other songs, he wrote Wild Thing, Angel Of The Morning, and Anyway That You Want Me.

"He played Twickenham Exchange a few years ago, accompanied by John Platiana, for many years Van Morrison's guitarist.

"It was memorable not only for a lot of great songs, but Taylor's vast repertoire of extraordinary and hilarious anecdotes, which took up a generous portion of an unforgettable set. The man could certainly tell a story as well as he could write a song."

Chip died just two days after turning 86, spending his final weeks in a New York hospice.

Chip was diagnosed with throat cancer which threatened to end his career, but the harsh treatments inspired his 2023 release Behind the Sky.

He told The Guardian that year: "I've been going through this chemotherapy and the radiation. I don't want to get away from the fact that a lot of this [album] has to do with living and dying.

"My wife and I are getting older, she has had several strokes, and I'm going through this beautiful period of time with her and trying to come out the other end so we have some more time to spend together."