NEWS

Our deepest sympathies go out to Valerie Simpson and the entire Ashford family for their loss.

Marquee Concerts co-founder Bill Zafiros had the pleasure of working with Nick and Valerie for a few years in the late 1990’s when they were on staff at New York’s 98.7 KISS-FM. Later, Marquee would go on to do shows with the pair. “We worked with them most recently on Valentine’s Day 2009 with Al Jarreau at the Nokia Theater,” notes Zafiros. Bill fondly reflects that besides his hit-making talents, Nick was “a really nice guy… a family guy… always made you feel welcome.”

As a young aspiring dancer, South Carolina-born Ashford found himself homeless in New York in 1963. Visiting the White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem after learning he could get something to eat there, Simpson was at the piano singing. A friendship soon blossomed. After working together for a decade, Nick and Valerie married in 1974.

The songwriting-producing team filled the charts with hits from their mid-1960s pre-Motown days through most of the 1980s, writing songs for artists including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Smokey Robinson, and other notable names. According to Motown founder Berry Gordy, the duo were most responsible for the huge hits of Diana Ross’s solo career, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” which would go on to become Ms. Ross’s signature song. The pair also worked together as Ashford & Simpson, recording and performing their own memorable hits including “Solid.” The 1985 song marks their biggest hit single as performers, topping the U.S. R&B Chart, hitting number 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Nick Ashford was born on May 4, 1941 and succumbed to throat cancer on Monday, August 22nd at age 70. He will be sadly missed by all of us who enjoyed his music… which will forever live on.