Nick Ashford of Ashford & Simpson Dies at the Age of 70
Nick Ashford has died at the age of 70. Ashford was half of the powerful singing duet "Ashford & Simpson," which became legends in the music industry. Ashford’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg, told the Associated Press that Ashford died Monday in New York City. He’d been diagnosed with throat cancer and was undergoing radiation treatment.
Ashford & Simpson sang some of the most popular songs in the music industry today, including "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough," and "You’re All I Need to Get By."
The group had its big break with a 1966 hit with Ray Charles called "Let’s Go Get Stoned." They also wrote numerous hit songs for Diana Ross, including "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)." They also wrote "I’m Every Woman," which was performed by Chaka Khan.
The group started performing originally in 1964 as Valerie & Nick. They’d met a year earlier at the White Rock Baptist Church. The couple was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Nick is survived by his wife and two children.
My heart goes out to this family…What a talent he was..I know he will rest in peace. I still listen to their music now…I will pray for this family.
This family has my heart felt prayers he and his wife were such a opart of my upbringing. I have always loved their music. When you saw them perform you could see the love that they had for one another. I only wish that God had healed him from his sickness and that he could have been around for a lot longer.
MY CONDOLENCES GOE’S OUT NICK ASFORD WIFE VAL AND THEIR FAMILY AND THE CHILDERNS,HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED IN THE MUSIC WORD,I STARTED LISTERNING TO ASHFORD AND SIMPSON IN 1966 AND I REMEMBER IT SEEMS TO HANG ON,” LIKE A SNOWBALL ROLLIN DOWN THE SIDE OF A SNOW COVER, IT WILL HANG ON NICK IN HWAVEN WITH YOU AND THE ANGELS RIP. STAN NOLLEY ATLANTA,GA, 55YEARS OLD!
How sad…. my sincere condolences to Val and the kids.
The last time I saw Ashford and Simpson perform in Baltimore, their daughter was singing backup. She was a kid but she was getting it. I am so glad to have grown up on their songs and I loved the example they set for black couples. They were in love and it showed.
GOD BLESS AND KEEP THE FAMILY OF NICK ASHFORD MAY THE LOVE AND BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT ASHFORD AND SIMPSON MADE LIVE ON AS AN EXAMPLE OF REAL TRUE LOVE FOR OTHERS AND LIVE ON IN OUR HEART AS A PEOPLE.HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED.I WILL KEEP THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS.J.C. HOUSTON TEXAS 61YRS OLD
SPEECHLESS
Always Enjoyed their music, from the days of my youth, even now as an old man still have the appreciation for their real songs .
God Bless and keep the family. This couple displayed so much love and devotion and set an amazing example of “real love” throughout the years. Their music is a “Hall Mark” in the community and has sustained many couples through the good and bad times. Their example has been exemptlary !
Heaven will sing upon his arrival – the memories of his life, hopefully will keep his wife and family vigilant and strong.
I agree…Angels are singing in heaven too.
A stair-way to Heaven with a beautiful song may God Bless you and your Family!
Thanks for the wonderful memories, May God Bless Val, Children family and friends. Your music will be live on. RIP….
My heart is heavy at this news! Although I pray and trust that Mr. Ashford is now crooning tunes in the heavenly choir, I am saddened for his lovely wife and their children as well as all the many fans who will deeply miss him!
If you can hear from heaven, Mr. Ashford, your music’s “still good to me”, and yes, it does “feel all right”. In fact, “it seems to hang on.” Rest in peace while your music and your memory continues to rock on.
I left without words. Nick you will truly be missed. You and your lovely wife made beautiful music together. May your spirit live on. God Bless Valerie, your family, friends and fans. You will be missed tremendously. Rest in Peace!
Very well said..Like they say, “let’s your works speak for you”
WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY DEALING WITH EARTHQUAKE NEWS JUST READ THIS TOOOO MUCH PEOPLE…….. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY……..
I was so in shock to hear of Nick Asford’s death this morning…i loved listening to Ashford and Simpson’s music..RIP Mr Ashford…you will sadly missed by all whose lives you have touched in the music industry and through your voice…
“We all got to go one day” words by my grandma.
“We are just here visiting”…words from my mama..
GOD WILL BLESS AN KEEP YOUR LOVELY FAMILY SAFE FROM ALL HARM AND I PRAY THAT YOUR LOVE AND STRENGHT WILL CARRY THEM THROUGH THIS HOMEGOING EVENT. AS YOU WALK UP TO MEET GOD AND RECEIVE HIS PERSONAL BLESSING FOR A JOB WELL DONE SAY HELLO FROM ALL OF US TO MARVIN, MARTIN, FANNIE LU , ROY , MALCOM, REV. FRANKLIN,EDGAR, JOHN AND BOBBY AND ASK GOD TO KEEP OUR PRESIDENT SAFE FROM THE TERRIBLE PLANS OF THE DEVIL AND HIS FOLLOWS HERE IN AMERICA AND THE WORLD. YOU AND YOUR SOUL MATE SET AN AMAZING EXAMPLE OF REAL LOVE FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW.
I am so sorry for the family,and I am glad that he is no longer suffering. He is in God’s home now. Much love for the family. And they were a duo that I have always admired
RIP He will always be remembered through his music. A true Genuis.
A true genuis. He will be remembered through his music.
I luved Them!Nick and Val keep my spirits soaring when I was going through my own personal pain and drama….they became a part of my life with their beautiful voices!!!!!!I never saw them as a duo couple but as one for they blended perfectly in voice and as a couple….We luv U val and may god be with and bless U and your family.
My heart goes out to Valerie and the 2 Children. “Nick & Valerie” have truly been a cornerstone on what is SOULFUL about black music: LOVE, TOGETHERNESS and DEVOTION (LTD). I know it was a BLESSING TO LOVE and BE LOVED by ONE BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN. May his soul rest in peace.
G’Bye, NIck. GODSPEED.
Yhis was one couple who really demostrated Unity in a marriage, you never in all their years heard anything disturbing about their relationship, Now they were the Black power couple! may heart goes out to Val, this man has been apart of her world for centuries, rest in Peace Nick and stay strong Val , earth hath No sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
How very wise you are…
Peace and Blessing, Ashford and Simpson
I will truly miss Ashford. I grew up with their music and my private romance with Nick. He was a woman’s man, I loved just looking at the smoothness. Yes, I will miss him, would love a portriat of home for my home.
H. LaVerne Hardin, J.D.
That was a smooth brotha! Always well dresses and tight! We’ll miss you man! 497054
I’m in Shock! In College we use to listen to Solid as a Rock, You Always Could, yau’ll know the rest. In the sixties we use to listen the songs Nick and Val wrote for other artist at Motown. Thanks for your time on stage at the Jackson Mississippi Colliseum. Thanks for the countless sing alongs at parties, on bases and cruzing down the road. Nick You A Bad Boy. We love you Brother and to say you will be missed is definately an understatement.
I will take the Liberty and speak for every Brother that ever stood guard duty and heard you come over a transistor radio or the brothers aboard a submarine deep under the ocean listening to you and val on 8 track, cassette or radio, for all the brothers in combat zones lucky enough to hear a tape or radio while being shelled by enemy artillery or the brothers flying AWACS Missions forty thousand feet over head around the clock for days at a time. We can never repay you and Val for the comfort your songs brought to us so far from home and at home.
Strike Command
9th Marines
6th Air Air Force
US Air Force Security Police
Marine Barracks Phillipines
SAC
USAEAUR
59th Ord Bde
MCRD Sandiego
82nd Air Born Fort Bragg
US Army Special Forces
NAVEUR
WESTPAC
MAG 26
MAG 29
1st Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
US Army Signal School
US Army Intelligence
US Army Artillery School
Nick We Thank YOU!
ralphjonesphotography.smugmug.com
Lovely…How Lovely…God bless you for posting…
R.I.P. Nick will be missed.
AWesome entertainer and I thought he was one sexy looking man. My prayers to his talented wife and children.
He’ll be missed, Remember; yes you both are Solid As a Rock! My thoughts go out to the family. may god bless you and yours.
Speechless.
My heart aches with all of yours.
We, the world’s people(s), are truly at a loss for more than words adequate enough to express our love and admiration for, as well as devotion to Nick, Val and the children.
God bless you this and every day.