Motown Legend Ashford Simpson Dead at Age 70.

Ashford of the legendary Ashford and Simpson has passed. He died on Monday after suffering  a bout with throat cancer.  Ashford and his wife Valerie Simpson are responsible for some of Motown’s biggest hits.

• Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
• Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand
• You’re all I need to Get By
• I’m Every Woman
• …and their biggest hit “Solid as a Rock”.

Those songs were single handedly responsible for taking the artists who song them to the next level.  Marivn Gaye, Chaka Chan & Diana Ross just to mention a few.   These are industry heavy hitters.

Ashford and Simpson as a couple have been together for over 38 years.  Success and stardom did not shake their relationship.  Not like typical Hollywood couple, their marriage was indeed “Solid as a Rock”.

They begin their career by writing for Ray Charles and then moved on to other top musicians.  Diana Ross might have been their biggest beneficiary.  “Reach out and Touch”, “The Boss”, “My House”, and “Missing You” were some of her biggest hits written by the duo.

They continued to stay relevant in today’s industry.  They were credited as co-writers on Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry on Their Own” and they were the owners of Sugar Bar in NY; A well-known eatery where new and old musicians showcase their talents.

Ashford died of throat cancer after receiving  radiation treatment .  He leaves behind his wife and 2 daughters.

-Cosmo

Source