Songwriter Nick Ashford dies; had throat cancer

In this photo provided by Long Island University, Ashford & Simpson perform at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island University's Brooklyn, N.Y. Campus, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. Nick Ashford died at age 70 on August 22, 2011. He had been suffering from throat cancer. (AP Photo/Long Island University, David Gardiner Garcia)

NEW YORK (AP) - August 22, 2011 (WPVI) -- Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, has died at age 70.

His longtime friend and former publicist Liz Rosenberg told The Associated Press that Ashford - who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown's biggest hits - died Monday in a New York City hospital. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment.

Among the songs Ashford & Simpson penned are "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By" and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand."

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Nick with my girl Janet

One of Motown's talented songwriting legends may he R.I.P. Nick Ashford..

[Edited 8/22/11 19:11pm]

OK, this gotta be a hoax. Where you get your info?

its true!!

Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, has died at age 70. His longtime friend and former publicist Liz Rosenberg told The Associated Press that Ashford - who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown's biggest hits - died Monday in a New York City hospital. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment.

Among the songs Ashford & Simpson penned are "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By" and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand."

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

[Edited 8/22/11 18:15pm]

Nevermind, it's true. Wow. Rest in power, Mr. Ashford.

Had no idea he had throat cancer. Shocking. And 70!?! I could've sworn he was 69. Either way, another Motown legend gone before his time. Damn.

[Edited 8/22/11 18:15pm]

Timmy84 said:

OK, this gotta be a hoax. Where you get your info?

it's true,I saw it on Yahoo News

SoulAlive said:

Timmy84 said:

OK, this gotta be a hoax. Where you get your info?

it's true,I saw it on Yahoo News

I saw it on Google just as you typed this.

R.I.P. Nicholas! Too shocking.

47 years of partnership, 37 years of marriage... damn Ashford & Simpson truly were something. Send your condolences to Valerie and their children.

Damn! One half of one of my favorite songwriting duos! And they were just out performing together a year or two ago. My sympathies for his family...

:shockedit:

[Edited 8/22/11 18:24pm]

Just read this on FB. wow...horrible disease. RIP to a legend.

nooooooo, noooooooo, noooooooo noooooooo

Got Damn, not now. Damn, I hate hearing this, thankfully I had a chance to see them preform at a benefit a couple of years ago, what a shame to lose two legends on this day, I'm shocked. GOD BLESS Valarie and their family along with all the writers of our favorite music.

purplethunder3121 said:

Damn! One half of one of my favorite songwriting duos! And they were just out performing together a year or two ago. My sympathies for his family...

:shockedit:

[Edited 8/22/11 18:24pm]

I'm guessing Nick got throat cancer around 2009 because as far as I know that was the last year Ashford & Simpson performed together.

UncleGrandpa said:

nooooooo, noooooooo, noooooooo noooooooo

Got Damn, not now. Damn, I hate hearing this, thankfully I had a chance to see them preform at a benefit a couple of years ago, what a shame to lose two legends on this day, I'm shocked. GOD BLESS Valarie and their family along with all the writers of our favorite music.

Oh my God and from TWO legendary songwriting teams. First Leiber, now Nick. Damn.

SOUL! October 11, 1972

Oh No!!! Dang I'm in shock! One of my fave duos from childhood. RIP

Might as well get it started

We can cry later, let's celebrate their gems and treasures. Feel free to share.

It goes without saying, a sticky for BOTH Jerry and Nick, I'm sure it will happen.

[Edited 8/22/11 18:35pm]

Tribute

Junie Morrison...



...Surrender


Ray Charles...



...Let's Go Get Stoned


Chaka Khan...



...I'm Every Woman


Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell...



...Ain't No Mountain High Enough & Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing


And my all-time favorite...



...Your Precious Love



Their songs were definitely...



...Solid As A Rock







Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

as with lieber, great, great songwriter. for some reason last month i just had to hear ain't no mountain high enough, and was listening to it on you tube. just so transcendent.

whenever i hear, 'it seems to hang on', i'm transported back to junior high. i loved that song.

great legacy.

This Ashford & Simpson song is probably the best tribute I can think of. R.I.P. Nick.

"What you gave me is more than enough to last"

Nick Ashford and Mike Leiber passing away on the same day, huge loss in the songwriting world.

This is from this past March.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...re=related

Sad news indeed...remembering the beautiful songs. RIP.

I AM IN COMPLETE SHOCK!!!I AM SPEECHLESS!!!

Wow, out of nowhere this weekend I started listening to and researching Ashford & Simpson. I just made a playlist of their songs and the ones they wrote for other people and played it yesterday. I feel in love with Nick's vocals on "Send It." I listened to "It Seems to Hang On," "Stay Free," "Have You Ever Tried It" and "Love Don't Always Make It Right" on repeat going and coming from work today. I talked my sister's head off about the great songs I knew they had written and all the ones I didn't like some of Diana Ross' solo hits. I actually came to this forum tonight to start a thread about how Unsung Nick and Valerie are as songwriters.

It pains me to learn that he passed and from such an awful disease. I hope that he is finally free. I hope for strength, serenity and grace for Valerie.

[Edited 8/22/11 19:18pm]

Temp sticky

RIP

Ashford and Simpson one of my all time fave duos.

Sad day.

Just uploaded this in memory of the soul soldiers Teddy & Nick.