KCOOLMUZIQ said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

I didn't know they had kids, I always thought he was another friend of Dorothy and that it was widely known and accepted.

Looking at their list of hits.... Diana Ross owes them her career. I always loved how A&S divafied Ain't No Mountain High Enough for Diane and then the greatest female anthem of all time, I'm Every Woman by Chaka. They wrote so many hits and I'll always respect and enjoy their songwritiing hall of fame abilities. I wasn't a fan of any of their work as artists though. They always seemed cheesy to me.

RIP Nick and my condelences to Val and the chilren.

Diana should be in the front pew @ that funeral for what he did for her career. But she didn't attend MJ funeral, so I doubt she will attend this one. It would shock me if she did.

Thats a damn shame too. I wonder why she didn't go to MJ's funeral when she supposedly discovered him?? SMH

PlayboyOriginal said:

I didn't know they had kids, I always thought he was another friend of Dorothy and that it was widely known and accepted.

Looking at their list of hits.... Diana Ross owes them her career. I always loved how A&S divafied Ain't No Mountain High Enough for Diane and then the greatest female anthem of all time, I'm Every Woman by Chaka. They wrote so many hits and I'll always respect and enjoy their songwritiing hall of fame abilities. I wasn't a fan of any of their work as artists though. They always seemed cheesy to me.

RIP Nick and my condelences to Val and the chilren.

What did we do before "Google" ???

My prayers go out to Mrs. Valerie Simpson-Ashford (and the family) in this most difficult time. Having to reschedule the funeral after the hurricane must be very stessful. I she has much support. Also when all is quieted down after friends and relatives leave her to herself may she have the strength needed to carry on. i really luved them and admired how they seemed to display their love for each other through the beautiful music they shared with the masses.

PlayboyOriginal said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Diana should be in the front pew @ that funeral for what he did for her career. But she didn't attend MJ funeral, so I doubt she will attend this one. It would shock me if she did.

Thats a damn shame too. I wonder why she didn't go to MJ's funeral when she supposedly discovered him?? SMH

She didn't discover the J5. A singer named Bobby Taylor did. She took the credit for an publicity stunt, because she was the bigger star.

angel345 said:

PlayboyOriginal said:

Thats a damn shame too. I wonder why she didn't go to MJ's funeral when she supposedly discovered him?? SMH

She didn't discover the J5. A singer named Bobby Taylor did. She took the credit for an publicity stunt, because she was the bigger star.

I always heard that Gladys Knight (along with Bobby Taylor) had some involvement in discovering the Jackson5 as well. Diana's Ross's involvement was only that she was chosen by Berry Gordy to be 'the one.' Why doesn't someone ask THEM and see how they remember it? Has someone done that already?

Why the comments about Nick Ashford's sexuality? If it was all right with Valerie, what do WE care? I mean, seriously, these things seem to matter so much to some people even when we don't know them personally.

NewPowerSista said:

Why the comments about Nick Ashford's sexuality? If it was all right with Valerie, what do WE care? I mean, seriously, these things seem to matter so much to some people even when we don't know them personally.

thank you.

Motown legend Nick Ashford honored by crowd of family and friends at Harlem funeral

BY Michael J. Feeney
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, August 30th 2011, 11:59 AM

http://www.nydailynews.co...r=ny_local

Family and friends packed one of Harlem's most prominent churches last night to say farewell to beloved singer and songwriter Nick Ashford.

Ashford, who made a career performing with his wife, Valerie Simpson, and writing some of Motown's most recognizable songs, died last week after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 70.

"One of the strongest people I've seen in a long time is Valerie Simpson," said the Rev. Calvin Butts to a standing ovation from the hundreds of mourners who packed Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Ashford's widow and musical partner wiped away tears as mourners acknowledged her.

Later, midway through the service, she jumped out of her seat to play the piano and spoke.

"I've got a lot to say about a great man," Simpson said.

"He was my soul mate. He was the man of my life," she said. "I'm going to miss my honey....I know he's looking down on us. I know he's happy."

The service began with a solo by singer Roberta Flack, who hugged Simpson following the moving vocal of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Actresses Phylicia Rashad and S. Epatha Merkerson recited Maya Angelou's "When Great Trees Fall."

"Nick, wherever you are, I want to thank you," dancer and choreographer George Faison said, quoting Ashford's song "Remember Me."

"You and Nick showed so much love to people you didn't even know," actress Tichina Arnold told Simpson before singing a powerful rendition of "I'm Too Close" with singer Victor Cook.

The service ended with a medley of Ashford's most notable songs, with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" led by Freddie Jackson and "Reach Out and Touch" led by singers Alyson Williams and Andre Smith.

Also in attendance were former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley, Essence editor in chief emeritus Susan Taylor, Alvin Ailey's Judith Jamison and "Late Show With David Letterman" bandleader Paul Shaffer.

a Golden Rose is gone but not forgotten.

Berry Gordy seems to be outliving the Motown family.

RIP

free2bfreeda said:

Motown legend Nick Ashford honored by crowd of family and friends at Harlem funeral

BY Michael J. Feeney
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, August 30th 2011, 11:59 AM

http://www.nydailynews.co...r=ny_local

Family and friends packed one of Harlem's most prominent churches last night to say farewell to beloved singer and songwriter Nick Ashford.

Ashford, who made a career performing with his wife, Valerie Simpson, and writing some of Motown's most recognizable songs, died last week after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 70.

"One of the strongest people I've seen in a long time is Valerie Simpson," said the Rev. Calvin Butts to a standing ovation from the hundreds of mourners who packed Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Ashford's widow and musical partner wiped away tears as mourners acknowledged her.

Later, midway through the service, she jumped out of her seat to play the piano and spoke.

"I've got a lot to say about a great man," Simpson said.

"He was my soul mate. He was the man of my life," she said. "I'm going to miss my honey....I know he's looking down on us. I know he's happy."

The service began with a solo by singer Roberta Flack, who hugged Simpson following the moving vocal of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Actresses Phylicia Rashad and S. Epatha Merkerson recited Maya Angelou's "When Great Trees Fall."

"Nick, wherever you are, I want to thank you," dancer and choreographer George Faison said, quoting Ashford's song "Remember Me."

"You and Nick showed so much love to people you didn't even know," actress Tichina Arnold told Simpson before singing a powerful rendition of "I'm Too Close" with singer Victor Cook.

The service ended with a medley of Ashford's most notable songs, with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" led by Freddie Jackson and "Reach Out and Touch" led by singers Alyson Williams and Andre Smith.

Also in attendance were former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley, Essence editor in chief emeritus Susan Taylor, Alvin Ailey's Judith Jamison and "Late Show With David Letterman" bandleader Paul Shaffer.

a Golden Rose is gone but not forgotten.

Sounds like it was a powerful service. 3 of the performances that would have really moved me would have been: Valerie Simpson's, Roberta Flack's, and Freddie Jackson's. Nice that the editors from Vogue & Essence were there too, because Nick Ashford was the epitome of style and pizzazz! I'm sure Paul Shaffer made certain that all the musical accompaniment was official too. I bet them folks had that Baptist Church rockin!

whatsgoingon said:

Berry Gordy seems to be outliving the Motown family.

RIP

U right about that. How old is Berry now?

"I've got a lot to say about a great man," Simpson said.

"He was my soul mate. He was the man of my life," she said. "I'm going to miss my honey....I know he's looking down on us. I know he's happy."

dang....you just can't help but tear up

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

whatsgoingon said:

Berry Gordy seems to be outliving the Motown family.

RIP

U right about that. How old is Berry now?

He'll be 82 on November 28.

PDogz said:

free2bfreeda said:

Motown legend Nick Ashford honored by crowd of family and friends at Harlem funeral

BY Michael J. Feeney
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, August 30th 2011, 11:59 AM

http://www.nydailynews.co...r=ny_local

Family and friends packed one of Harlem's most prominent churches last night to say farewell to beloved singer and songwriter Nick Ashford.

Ashford, who made a career performing with his wife, Valerie Simpson, and writing some of Motown's most recognizable songs, died last week after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 70.

"One of the strongest people I've seen in a long time is Valerie Simpson," said the Rev. Calvin Butts to a standing ovation from the hundreds of mourners who packed Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Ashford's widow and musical partner wiped away tears as mourners acknowledged her.

Later, midway through the service, she jumped out of her seat to play the piano and spoke.

"I've got a lot to say about a great man," Simpson said.

"He was my soul mate. He was the man of my life," she said. "I'm going to miss my honey....I know he's looking down on us. I know he's happy."

The service began with a solo by singer Roberta Flack, who hugged Simpson following the moving vocal of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Actresses Phylicia Rashad and S. Epatha Merkerson recited Maya Angelou's "When Great Trees Fall."

"Nick, wherever you are, I want to thank you," dancer and choreographer George Faison said, quoting Ashford's song "Remember Me."

"You and Nick showed so much love to people you didn't even know," actress Tichina Arnold told Simpson before singing a powerful rendition of "I'm Too Close" with singer Victor Cook.

The service ended with a medley of Ashford's most notable songs, with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" led by Freddie Jackson and "Reach Out and Touch" led by singers Alyson Williams and Andre Smith.

Also in attendance were former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley, Essence editor in chief emeritus Susan Taylor, Alvin Ailey's Judith Jamison and "Late Show With David Letterman" bandleader Paul Shaffer.

a Golden Rose is gone but not forgotten.

Sounds like it was a powerful service. 3 of the performances that would have really moved me would have been: Valerie Simpson's, Roberta Flack's, and Freddie Jackson's. Nice that the editors from Vogue & Essence were there too, because Nick Ashford was the epitome of style and pizzazz! I'm sure Paul Shaffer made certain that all the musical accompaniment was official too. I bet them folks had that Baptist Church rockin!

RIP Nick!

NewPowerSista said:

angel345 said:

She didn't discover the J5. A singer named Bobby Taylor did. She took the credit for an publicity stunt, because she was the bigger star.

I always heard that Gladys Knight (along with Bobby Taylor) had some involvement in discovering the Jackson5 as well. Diana's Ross's involvement was only that she was chosen by Berry Gordy to be 'the one.' Why doesn't someone ask THEM and see how they remember it? Has someone done that already?

I've once owned this vhs tape years ago called Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues. His brother Marlon was on it, and he confirmed that it was Bobby Taylor. He did not mention Gladys Knight. However, I heard about her involvement as well, but I don't know.

angel345 said:

NewPowerSista said:

I always heard that Gladys Knight (along with Bobby Taylor) had some involvement in discovering the Jackson5 as well. Diana's Ross's involvement was only that she was chosen by Berry Gordy to be 'the one.' Why doesn't someone ask THEM and see how they remember it? Has someone done that already?

I've once owned this vhs tape years ago called Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues. His brother Marlon was on it, and he confirmed that it was Bobby Taylor. He did not mention Gladys Knight. However, I heard about her involvement as well, but I don't know.

Gladys was the first one to suggest to Berry Gordy to listen to the Jacksons. But it was Bobby Taylor that literally DROVE them to Motown.

Timmy84 said:

angel345 said:

I've once owned this vhs tape years ago called Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues. His brother Marlon was on it, and he confirmed that it was Bobby Taylor. He did not mention Gladys Knight. However, I heard about her involvement as well, but I don't know.

Gladys was the first one to suggest to Berry Gordy to listen to the Jacksons. But it was Bobby Taylor that literally DROVE them to Motown.

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

angel345 said:

Timmy84 said:

Gladys was the first one to suggest to Berry Gordy to listen to the Jacksons. But it was Bobby Taylor that literally DROVE them to Motown.

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

I can't say why Marlon didn't give Gladys credit for discovering them. One of the sources I found was at www.jackson5.com. There are several others as well if you google it. It seems that Gladys was who first saw them and suggested them to Berry Gordy, then Bobby Taylor stepped in and pretty much delivered them to Gordy. He may have been closer to Gordy than Gladys was. Who knows? What we do know is that they were NOT discovered by Diana Ross.

angel345 said:

Timmy84 said:

Gladys was the first one to suggest to Berry Gordy to listen to the Jacksons. But it was Bobby Taylor that literally DROVE them to Motown.

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

You didn't read the Bobby Taylor article that was posted like eons ago? Gladys DID get credence from it. The family themselves have short term memory loss. Bobby said they straight out forgot about his ass...

angel345 said:

Timmy84 said:

Gladys was the first one to suggest to Berry Gordy to listen to the Jacksons. But it was Bobby Taylor that literally DROVE them to Motown.

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

I don't have an official source as a reference, but I always understood that Gladys Knight brought the Jacksons to Motown, and that Diana Ross was given the credit because she had more star-power at the time.

PDogz said:

angel345 said:

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

I don't have an official source as a reference, but I always understood that Gladys Knight brought the Jacksons to Motown, and that Diana Ross was given the credit because she had more star-power at the time.

Gladys recommended them but Berry didn't wanna be bothered with them. This was in 1967.

Anyways, wasn't this about Ashford & Simpson?

And we know Diana wasn't gonna show up, she don't show up to funerals (Richard Pryor and Arne Naess were exceptions). You wouldn't either after you get booed while attending the funeral of an old friend and a former group mate...

[Edited 8/31/11 0:01am]

Timmy84 said:

PDogz said:

I don't have an official source as a reference, but I always understood that Gladys Knight brought the Jacksons to Motown, and that Diana Ross was given the credit because she had more star-power at the time.

Gladys recommended them but Berry didn't wanna be bothered with them. This was in 1967.

Anyways, wasn't this about Ashford & Simpson?

And we know Diana wasn't gonna show up, she don't show up to funerals (Richard Pryor and Arne Naess were exceptions). You wouldn't either after you get booed while attending the funeral of an old friend and a former group mate...

I don't hold it against Diana Ross for not showing up at Nick's (...or the others) funerals, because I'm not fond of funerals myself, and usually don't attend them for even some of the people I have loved the most. Neither do I see my "no show" as a reflection of that love I've held for the deceased. I assume that Diana feels much the same as I, in that; funerals are just too incredibly sad to even deal with. The last one I attended was for my brother, and I felt at the time that it would be the last one I'd be going to.

As for my own death, they can just dispose of me as quickly, cleanly, and efficiently as possible - which would probably mean cremation with no service. I wouldn't want to put anyone through THAT ceremony.

But as ceremonies go, it seems that Nick Ashford's was a particularly beautiful and poignant one. May he be resting peacefully, far away from the cares of this world.

PDogz said:

Timmy84 said:

Gladys recommended them but Berry didn't wanna be bothered with them. This was in 1967.

Anyways, wasn't this about Ashford & Simpson?

And we know Diana wasn't gonna show up, she don't show up to funerals (Richard Pryor and Arne Naess were exceptions). You wouldn't either after you get booed while attending the funeral of an old friend and a former group mate...

I don't hold it against Diana Ross for not showing up at Nick's (...or the others) funerals, because I'm not fond of funerals myself, and usually don't attend them for even some of the people I have loved the most. Neither do I see my "no show" as a reflection of that love I've held for the deceased. I assume that Diana feels much the same as I, in that; funerals are just too incredibly sad to even deal with. The last one I attended was for my brother, and I felt at the time that it would be the last one I'd be going to.

As for my own death, they can just dispose of me as quickly, cleanly, and efficiently as possible - which would probably mean cremation with no service. I wouldn't want to put anyone through THAT ceremony.

But as ceremonies go, it seems that Nick Ashford's was a particularly beautiful and poignant one. May he be resting peacefully, far away from the cares of this world.

Exactly.

by posting a whole bunch of "woulda-coulda-and shouldas," as to who did and did not do what, or why they didn't do this or that, really denigrates the purpose and meaning of this thread.

it's like a bunch of old folks sitting around after a funeral dissecting the spirit of the deceased by pointing out all the negatives of the person's personal life, former friends and past aquaintences.

when family members pass on i'm sure each and everyone of us would hope for words respect.

A great man died. imo, 'nuf said.

free2bfreeda said:

by posting a whole bunch of "woulda-coulda-and shouldas," as to who did and did not do what, or why they didn't do this or that, really denigrates the purpose and meaning of this thread.

it's like a bunch of old folks sitting around after a funeral dissecting the spirit of the deceased by pointing out all the negatives of the person's personal life, former friends and past aquaintences.

when family members pass on i'm sure each and everyone of us would hope for words respect.

A great man died. imo, 'nuf said.

Real true. It's like why even focus on that when someone brought more positivity? Especially someone as generous as Nick Ashford had been his whole life. I consider Ashford & Simpson a true love story too. They fell in love 48 years ago and remained together until Nick's death. That's real love.

free2bfreeda said:

by posting a whole bunch of "woulda-coulda-and shouldas," as to who did and did not do what, or why they didn't do this or that, really denigrates the purpose and meaning of this thread.

it's like a bunch of old folks sitting around after a funeral dissecting the spirit of the deceased by pointing out all the negatives of the person's personal life, former friends and past aquaintences.

when family members pass on i'm sure each and everyone of us would hope for words respect.

A great man died. imo, 'nuf said.

This reminds me of when I was growing up, the elders of my family used to talk about the dead, and it used to resort to screaming and fighting . May Nick Simpson rest in peace.

NewPowerSista said:

angel345 said:

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

I can't say why Marlon didn't give Gladys credit for discovering them. One of the sources I found was at www.jackson5.com. There are several others as well if you google it. It seems that Gladys was who first saw them and suggested them to Berry Gordy, then Bobby Taylor stepped in and pretty much delivered them to Gordy. He may have been closer to Gordy than Gladys was. Who knows? What we do know is that they were NOT discovered by Diana Ross.

Agreed with the bolded sentence

PDogz said:

Timmy84 said:

Gladys recommended them but Berry didn't wanna be bothered with them. This was in 1967.

Anyways, wasn't this about Ashford & Simpson?

And we know Diana wasn't gonna show up, she don't show up to funerals (Richard Pryor and Arne Naess were exceptions). You wouldn't either after you get booed while attending the funeral of an old friend and a former group mate...

I don't hold it against Diana Ross for not showing up at Nick's (...or the others) funerals, because I'm not fond of funerals myself, and usually don't attend them for even some of the people I have loved the most. Neither do I see my "no show" as a reflection of that love I've held for the deceased. I assume that Diana feels much the same as I, in that; funerals are just too incredibly sad to even deal with. The last one I attended was for my brother, and I felt at the time that it would be the last one I'd be going to.

As for my own death, they can just dispose of me as quickly, cleanly, and efficiently as possible - which would probably mean cremation with no service. I wouldn't want to put anyone through THAT ceremony.

But as ceremonies go, it seems that Nick Ashford's was a particularly beautiful and poignant one. May he be resting peacefully, far away from the cares of this world.

Yes, this thread is about Ashford & Simpson. It gets sidetracked sometimes May he rest in peace.

PDogz said:

angel345 said:

So why didn't she get credence for it? Why would Marlon leave Glady's name out? Who's the source of your statement. I gave you mine, but then this is the same tape with Elizabeth Taylor, saying MJ is from another planet, and Sophia Loren saying MJ is like litmus paper. Go figure

I don't have an official source as a reference, but I always understood that Gladys Knight brought the Jacksons to Motown, and that Diana Ross was given the credit because she had more star-power at the time.

Agreed with the bolded statement.

Seperated only at death. That's real love.