too too shocking....just called my mom. She's heartbroken.

RIP!

Such a crappy way to start the day. About to be off to work and this is on my screen.

R.I.P.

Mr & Mrs. Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson's chemistry together was unbelievable. They were two of the best songwriting teams of our time.

please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/w...26_Simpson

The songs they wrote together were performed by many many famous musicians. I saw them numerous times on tv specials, and live once in San Carlos, Ca. I was always in awe of their true talent as writers, musicians and stage performers. The two of them were so sexy and loving on stage, as well as very protective of each other in person.

I send Valerie my love and sympathies and the same to their family, friends and loved ones. I hope she will be okay and surrounded with much love. (He died 4 days before Valerie's [aug 26th] birthday).

Thank you (both) for being here in my space in time. Mr. Nicholas Ashford you will truly be missed.

[Edited 8/23/11 5:54am]

Awwwww, man. Too sad, but he had a long, productive life and career and left behind a great musical legacy. RIP Nick.

R.I.P Nick

R.I.P.

A True Legend. With such a huge catalog of great music. Bless Your Soul.

Whenever Nick would look at Valarie his Eyes would light-up and she was his world. Other than Ossie & Ruby I never seen another Celebrity couple as close as they seem to be...It was always a pleasure to see them on stage singing their hearts out, always praising other artists and just being the Beautiful people that they are. I was impressed with Nick's vocal range as well. He could reach High notes and sustain them. Nick's Legacy as a Singer, Songwriter & Producer is Forever...

Rest in Peace my Brother. God has Smiled on you and set you Free...

I just found out late last night. Another great and talented artist gone.

TD3 said:

Didn't even know Mr. Ashford was sick. wow.

R.I.P.

Tavis Smiley Ashford and Simpson: Thursday, 7/30

Link: Interview: Tavis Smiley

"Send It" is my favorite song and album by the duo. I NEVER get tired of listening to that song.

RIP Nick. Prayers for Valerie and his family

Here are a couple other tunes the pair penned for Chaka:

Man, who else was an indispensable part of Motown AND an indispensable part of disco?? I am not too sad though; the man had a HELL of a great life. The REAL tragedy here IMO, as someone mentioned, is that there is NOBODY coming behind any of these greats as they pass along. A whole bunch of NOBODYs. With the death of each Nick Ashford or Teena Marie or Michael Jackson or James Brown or Barry White, we are experiencing in a painful, visceral way NOT ONLY the the death of truly incredible artists, NOT ONLY the death of one of the greatest explosions of culture the world has EVER KNOWN - but in a very real sense the death of our collective AND individual identities, at least for Americans anyway, Americans born and raised during the period after World War II up to the early 70s. These artists represent who WE ARE. Their work DEFINES US and OUR PLACE in the world. In the final analysis, THIS is what is so painful for the public when we lose a Nick Ashford. From the early 50s to about the mid-90s, the rock and soul and hip-hop movement which came from America has shaken up the entire planet. The rock and soul and hip-hop movement, and all that umbrella covered, was AMERICA PERSONIFIED, it was the SOUND of FREEDOM RINGING. There had been NOTHING LIKE IT before, and there will be nothing like it EVER AGAIN. RIP Nick Ashford. Thank you for your Motown records and particularly "It Seems to Hang On" and thank you for your contribution to disco, one of the greatest things to ever come out of America, and a cornerstone of my childhood.

TD3 said:

R.I.P.

Tavis Smiley Ashford and Simpson: Thursday, 7/30

Link: Interview: Tavis Smiley

Thank you so much TD3 for posting the interview. I found it so interesting and wonderful to watch Nicholas and Valerie, being the Mr. and Mrs. of Music. The way they talked during the interview was neat. It's like they were so close. It's like when one started a sentence, the other would finish it. They were an example of two becoming one in love while enduring the test of time. Once again thanks. I know I'm going to cry before this day is over.

I loved Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson as being two great creative forces in the world of music. They seemed to be muses for each other. How often does this happen between a woman and a man in today's world"

Was this interview on 7/30 of this year?

darkstranger521 said:

Man, who else was an indispensable part of Motown AND an indispensable part of disco?? I am not too sad though; the man had a HELL of a great life. The REAL tragedy here IMO, as someone mentioned, is that there is NOBODY coming behind any of these greats as they pass along. A whole bunch of NOBODYs. With the death of each Nick Ashford or Teena Marie or Michael Jackson or James Brown or Barry White, we are experiencing in a painful, visceral way NOT ONLY the the death of truly incredible artists, NOT ONLY the death of one of the greatest explosions of culture the world has EVER KNOWN - but in a very real sense the death of our collective AND individual identities, at least for Americans anyway, Americans born and raised during the period after World War II up to the early 70s. These artists represent who WE ARE. Their work DEFINES US and OUR PLACE in the world. In the final analysis, THIS is what is so painful for the public when we lose a Nick Ashford. From the early 50s to about the mid-90s, the rock and soul and hip-hop movement which came from America has shaken up the entire planet. The rock and soul and hip-hop movement, and all that umbrella covered, was AMERICA PERSONIFIED, it was the SOUND of FREEDOM RINGING. There had been NOTHING LIKE IT before, and there will be nothing like it EVER AGAIN. RIP Nick Ashford. Thank you for your Motown records and particularly "It Seems to Hang On" and thank you for your contribution to disco, one of the greatest things to ever come out of America, and a cornerstone of my childhood.

Very nice. Well said.

Timmy84 said:

Just look at how seriously they took the production of their art! Today, it seems to be all about swagger & fame!

darkstranger521 said:

Man, who else was an indispensable part of Motown AND an indispensable part of disco?? I am not too sad though; the man had a HELL of a great life. The REAL tragedy here IMO, as someone mentioned, is that there is NOBODY coming behind any of these greats as they pass along. A whole bunch of NOBODYs. With the death of each Nick Ashford or Teena Marie or Michael Jackson or James Brown or Barry White, we are experiencing in a painful, visceral way NOT ONLY the the death of truly incredible artists, NOT ONLY the death of one of the greatest explosions of culture the world has EVER KNOWN - but in a very real sense the death of our collective AND individual identities, at least for Americans anyway, Americans born and raised during the period after World War II up to the early 70s. These artists represent who WE ARE. Their work DEFINES US and OUR PLACE in the world. In the final analysis, THIS is what is so painful for the public when we lose a Nick Ashford. From the early 50s to about the mid-90s, the rock and soul and hip-hop movement which came from America has shaken up the entire planet. The rock and soul and hip-hop movement, and all that umbrella covered, was AMERICA PERSONIFIED, it was the SOUND of FREEDOM RINGING. There had been NOTHING LIKE IT before, and there will be nothing like it EVER AGAIN. RIP Nick Ashford. Thank you for your Motown records and particularly "It Seems to Hang On" and thank you for your contribution to disco, one of the greatest things to ever come out of America, and a cornerstone of my childhood.

Say that!

PDogz said:

darkstranger521 said:

Man, who else was an indispensable part of Motown AND an indispensable part of disco?? I am not too sad though; the man had a HELL of a great life. The REAL tragedy here IMO, as someone mentioned, is that there is NOBODY coming behind any of these greats as they pass along. A whole bunch of NOBODYs. With the death of each Nick Ashford or Teena Marie or Michael Jackson or James Brown or Barry White, we are experiencing in a painful, visceral way NOT ONLY the the death of truly incredible artists, NOT ONLY the death of one of the greatest explosions of culture the world has EVER KNOWN - but in a very real sense the death of our collective AND individual identities, at least for Americans anyway, Americans born and raised during the period after World War II up to the early 70s. These artists represent who WE ARE. Their work DEFINES US and OUR PLACE in the world. In the final analysis, THIS is what is so painful for the public when we lose a Nick Ashford. From the early 50s to about the mid-90s, the rock and soul and hip-hop movement which came from America has shaken up the entire planet. The rock and soul and hip-hop movement, and all that umbrella covered, was AMERICA PERSONIFIED, it was the SOUND of FREEDOM RINGING. There had been NOTHING LIKE IT before, and there will be nothing like it EVER AGAIN. RIP Nick Ashford. Thank you for your Motown records and particularly "It Seems to Hang On" and thank you for your contribution to disco, one of the greatest things to ever come out of America, and a cornerstone of my childhood.

Very nice. Well said.

The music...the music...wow..if there's one song that would define their signature sound it has to this one.

R.I.P. Nick Ashford.

God bless with work and his family, his contribution to music lives on.

[Edited 8/24/11 18:28pm]

darkstranger521 said:

Man, who else was an indispensable part of Motown AND an indispensable part of disco?? I am not too sad though; the man had a HELL of a great life. The REAL tragedy here IMO, as someone mentioned, is that there is NOBODY coming behind any of these greats as they pass along. A whole bunch of NOBODYs. With the death of each Nick Ashford or Teena Marie or Michael Jackson or James Brown or Barry White, we are experiencing in a painful, visceral way NOT ONLY the the death of truly incredible artists, NOT ONLY the death of one of the greatest explosions of culture the world has EVER KNOWN - but in a very real sense the death of our collective AND individual identities, at least for Americans anyway, Americans born and raised during the period after World War II up to the early 70s. These artists represent who WE ARE. Their work DEFINES US and OUR PLACE in the world. In the final analysis, THIS is what is so painful for the public when we lose a Nick Ashford. From the early 50s to about the mid-90s, the rock and soul and hip-hop movement which came from America has shaken up the entire planet. The rock and soul and hip-hop movement, and all that umbrella covered, was AMERICA PERSONIFIED, it was the SOUND of FREEDOM RINGING. There had been NOTHING LIKE IT before, and there will be nothing like it EVER AGAIN. RIP Nick Ashford. Thank you for your Motown records and particularly "It Seems to Hang On" and thank you for your contribution to disco, one of the greatest things to ever come out of America, and a cornerstone of my childhood.

yes, yes, yes.

[Edited 8/23/11 10:19am]

RIP

Thankfully, we'll never really have a chance to miss Mr. Ashford.

His work will always be played and heard.

His passing reminds us of his secure place in the Great American Songbook.

namepeace said:

Thankfully, we'll never really have a chance to miss Mr. Ashford.

His work will always be played and heard.

His passing reminds us of his secure place in the Great American Songbook.

Word.

R.I.P. Nick. Thank you for the lovely music.

RIP to one of music's great songwtiters.

free2bfreeda said: