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Nick Ashford, half of the Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned songs for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan and others, died Monday at age 70, his former publicist said.
Mr. Ashford, who along with wife, Valerie Simpson, wrote some of Motown's biggest hits, died in a New York City hospital, said publicist Liz Rosenberg, who was Mr. Ashford's longtime friend. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment, she told the Associated Press.
Though they had some of their greatest success at Motown with classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" by Ms. Ross, Ashford & Simpson also created anthems for others like "I'm Every Woman" by Ms. Khan (and later remade by Whitney Houston). Mr. Ashford and Ms. Simpson had success writing for themselves as well. Perhaps the best-known song they sang was the 1980s hit "Solid As A Rock."
"His music is unmatched in terms of great songwriting," Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire said after learning of his friend's death.
"They had magic and that's what creates those wonderful hits, that magic," Mr. White added. "Without those songs, those artists wouldn't have been able to go to the next level."
Mr. Ashford and Ms. Simpson's relationship stretched more than four decades. They met in 1964 in a New York City church. Mr. Ashford, a South Carolina native, had come to the city to pursue a dance career. Ms. Simpson was a music student, and after connecting with her, they decided to start to write songs together.
"They were always comfortable with each other and they made all of us comfortable, because they were comfortable," Mr. White said.
Their first major success occurred when they came up with "Let's Go Get Stoned" for Ray Charles. The bluesy, gospel-tinged song became a huge hit. The duo soon came to the attention of Motown Records and began penning hits for their artists.
Diana Ross may have been their greatest muse. With her, they had some of their biggest songs and helped give her career-defining hits. They also composed some of the music for "The Wiz," the movie musical that starred Ms. Ross and Michael Jackson.
The duo, married for 38 years, helped sell millions of records for several artists. They also had success as their own entity, but despite "Solid As a Rock," their songs were dwarfed by those they penned for others. They are also credited as co-writers on Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry On Their Own."
In recent years, the pair continued to perform. They were owners of the New York City restaurant Sugar Bar, where many top names and emerging talents would put on showcases. And in 2002, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Mr. Ashford is survived by his wife and two daughters. His former publicist said there is no information yet on funeral arrangements.
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