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Key moments and achievements from Chip Taylor's life.
Chip was born
· New York, New York, United States
Released Music
Before gaining widespread fame as Chip Taylor, James Wesley Voight began his musical journey recording under his birth name, Wes Voight. In the late 1950s, he released several melodic rock tunes, including "Another Guy's Line" and "I'm Movin' In." These early recordings laid the groundwork for his future songwriting and performing career, showcasing his initial foray into the music industry.
Released Music
Before gaining widespread fame as Chip Taylor, James Wesley Voight began his musical journey recording under his birth name, Wes Voight. In the late 1950s, he released several melodic rock tunes, including "Another Guy's Line" and "I'm Movin' In." These early recordings laid the groundwork for his future songwriting and performing career, showcasing his initial foray into the music industry.
Released Charting Single
In 1962, Chip Taylor achieved his first chart success as a recording artist with the single "Here I Am" on Warner Bros. Records. This marked a significant milestone in his career, demonstrating his ability to connect with audiences not just as a writer, but also as a performer. The song helped establish his presence in the burgeoning pop music scene.
Released Charting Single
In 1962, Chip Taylor achieved his first chart success as a recording artist with the single "Here I Am" on Warner Bros. Records. This marked a significant milestone in his career, demonstrating his ability to connect with audiences not just as a writer, but also as a performer. The song helped establish his presence in the burgeoning pop music scene.
Composed Hit Song
Chip Taylor penned the iconic garage-rock anthem "Wild Thing" in 1965. While initially recorded by The Wild Ones, it became a massive international hit for The Troggs in 1966, reaching number one in the U.S. The song's raw energy and distinctive sound made it a classic, later famously performed by Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival, cementing its place in rock history.
Composed Hit Song
Chip Taylor penned the iconic garage-rock anthem "Wild Thing" in 1965. While initially recorded by The Wild Ones, it became a massive international hit for The Troggs in 1966, reaching number one in the U.S. The song's raw energy and distinctive sound made it a classic, later famously performed by Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival, cementing its place in rock history.
Founded Record Label
In 1967, Chip Taylor expanded his involvement in the music industry by co-founding Rainy Day Records with Al Gorgoni. The label, distributed by Jubilee Records, aimed to release new music, including the single "Night Owl" by The Flying Machine, which featured James Taylor. This venture highlighted Chip Taylor's entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to fostering new talent.
Founded Record Label
In 1967, Chip Taylor expanded his involvement in the music industry by co-founding Rainy Day Records with Al Gorgoni. The label, distributed by Jubilee Records, aimed to release new music, including the single "Night Owl" by The Flying Machine, which featured James Taylor. This venture highlighted Chip Taylor's entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to fostering new talent.
Composed Hit Song
Chip Taylor composed the enduring pop classic "Angel of the Morning" in 1967, inspired by The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday." The song first became a significant hit for Merrilee Rush in 1968, reaching the top ten, and later achieved massive success as a million-selling single for Juice Newton in 1981. Its poignant lyrics and melody have made it a timeless piece, covered by numerous artists over the decades.
Composed Hit Song
Chip Taylor composed the enduring pop classic "Angel of the Morning" in 1967, inspired by The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday." The song first became a significant hit for Merrilee Rush in 1968, reaching the top ten, and later achieved massive success as a million-selling single for Juice Newton in 1981. Its poignant lyrics and melody have made it a timeless piece, covered by numerous artists over the decades.
Released Album
In 1973, Chip Taylor released the album "Last Chance," which has since become a beloved cult classic among his discography. This album showcased his evolving artistry and his pioneering role in the country-rock movement. It remains a significant work that demonstrated his depth as a recording artist beyond his well-known songwriting credits.
Released Album
In 1973, Chip Taylor released the album "Last Chance," which has since become a beloved cult classic among his discography. This album showcased his evolving artistry and his pioneering role in the country-rock movement. It remains a significant work that demonstrated his depth as a recording artist beyond his well-known songwriting credits.
Career Change
From 1980 through 1995, Chip Taylor took a significant break from the music industry to pursue a highly successful, albeit personally challenging, career as a professional gambler. Specializing in blackjack and horse racing, this period represented a unique chapter in his life, demonstrating his diverse talents and interests outside of music. He later reflected on this time as an addiction.
Career Change
From 1980 through 1995, Chip Taylor took a significant break from the music industry to pursue a highly successful, albeit personally challenging, career as a professional gambler. Specializing in blackjack and horse racing, this period represented a unique chapter in his life, demonstrating his diverse talents and interests outside of music. He later reflected on this time as an addiction.
Career Resumption
After a 15-year hiatus, Chip Taylor made a triumphant return to music in the mid-1990s, beginning a prolific new phase of his career. This period saw him embrace Americana, folk, and singer-songwriter genres, releasing a steady stream of critically acclaimed albums. His return was marked by renewed creative energy and a desire to continue sharing his unique storytelling through song.
Career Resumption
After a 15-year hiatus, Chip Taylor made a triumphant return to music in the mid-1990s, beginning a prolific new phase of his career. This period saw him embrace Americana, folk, and singer-songwriter genres, releasing a steady stream of critically acclaimed albums. His return was marked by renewed creative energy and a desire to continue sharing his unique storytelling through song.
Founded Record Label
In 2007, Chip Taylor established his own independent record label, Train Wreck Records. This venture provided him with a platform to release his extensive new material and maintain creative control over his work. The label became home to many of his later albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Yonkers, NY."
Founded Record Label
In 2007, Chip Taylor established his own independent record label, Train Wreck Records. This venture provided him with a platform to release his extensive new material and maintain creative control over his work. The label became home to many of his later albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Yonkers, NY."
Received Award Nomination
Chip Taylor's autobiographical album "Yonkers, NY" received a Grammy Award nomination in 2011 for Best Recording Package. This recognition highlighted not only the musical quality of the album but also its artistic presentation. The nomination was a significant achievement in his later career, bringing renewed attention to his work.
Received Award Nomination
Chip Taylor's autobiographical album "Yonkers, NY" received a Grammy Award nomination in 2011 for Best Recording Package. This recognition highlighted not only the musical quality of the album but also its artistic presentation. The nomination was a significant achievement in his later career, bringing renewed attention to his work.
Received Lifetime Honor
In 2016, Chip Taylor was formally inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing his profound and lasting contributions to music. This induction celebrated his extensive catalog of hits and his influence on generations of artists. It served as a capstone to a remarkable career dedicated to the craft of songwriting.
Received Lifetime Honor
In 2016, Chip Taylor was formally inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing his profound and lasting contributions to music. This induction celebrated his extensive catalog of hits and his influence on generations of artists. It served as a capstone to a remarkable career dedicated to the craft of songwriting.
Chip Taylor passed away
