Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross songwriter Nickolas Ashford dies, aged 70
Published Aug 23 2011, 10:31 BST | By Lewis Corner
© WENN / Carrie Devorah
The songwriter died after a lengthy battle with throat cancer yesterday afternoon.
Ashford was part of a songwriting duo with his wife Valerie Simpson. Together, they wrote hits including Diana Ross's 'Reach Out And Touch', Aretha Franklin's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' and Chaka Khan's 'I'm Every Woman'.
The pair also had their own music careers, releasing a number of albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Ashford and Simpson were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame back in 2002, 36 years after their breakthrough hit, Ray Charles's 'Let's Go Get Stoned', in 1966.
Alicia Keys paid tribute to Ashford on Twitter, saying: "I'm so sad that he's gone. What a legacy of infectious music."
Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire added: "His music is unmatched in terms of great songwriting. They had magic and that's what creates those wonderful hits, that magic. Without those songs, those artists wouldn't have been able to go to the next level."
Watch Aretha Franklin perform 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' live below:
Wow. So sorry to hear, another hero of mine gone. Valerie must be devastated, they were always together.
August 24th 2011 at 3:04pm
Note to writer of this story...Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell recorded `Ain't No Mountain High Enough` originally and as far as I know Aretha Franklin never recorded it!
August 24th 2011 at 8:06am
The song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was first a hit for soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Ashford & Simpson then dramatically re-orchestrated it for diva Diana Ross. Other people may have sang it - Aretha Franklin included - but the facts are the facts, and easily researched.
August 24th 2011 at 6:01am
They wrote some great songs...R I P.
August 24th 2011 at 1:15am
A Loss for the Music World, And Wife VALERIE &Family, REST IN PEACE.
August 24th 2011 at 1:12am