Nickolas ‘Nick’ Ashford who with his wife Valerie Simpson make up the famous duo Ashford & Simpson, has died aged 69. He sadly passed away in a New York hospital after suffering from throat cancer for many years.
The husband and wife duo wrote some of the most successful hits for popular artists like Marvin Gay, Diana Ross, Ray Charles and Chaka Khan to name but a few.
They first performed together in 1964 and were known originally as Valerie & Nick. They married in 1974 and had a long 38 year marriage raising 2 children together. They created a storm in the late 70’s and through the 80’s as Ashford & Simpson which is when they were truly recognised as RnB stars recording hits like It Seems to Hang On, ‘Don’t Cost You Nothing’, ‘Found a Cure’ and ‘Street Corner’. Their biggest and most well known hit was ‘Solid’ which is still a solid favourite amongst 80’s soul lovers.
In 1966 Ray Charles had a No.1 hit with ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned’ which was written by the duo and this was their breakthrough record, and successfully wrote many more songs for artists.
Their most famous composition was “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, which was recorded by Motown’s Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell who also sang ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing’, ‘You’re All I Need To Get By’ , ‘Onion Song’ and ‘Your Precious Love’ also written by Ashford & Simpson.
They also wrote and produced songs for Diana Ross including her signature hit song ‘Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s hand). Another much loved Ashford-Simpson collaboration is ‘I’m Every Woman’ which was recorded by Chaka Khan and later covered by Whitney Houston.
In 2002 they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Ashford & Simpson have recorded eight albums including four that went gold. They certainly made a significant contribution to music and Mr Ashford will surely be missed by the industry and music fans worldwide.
Rest In Peace Nick Ashford
4th May 1942 – 22 August 2011
