NICK ASHFORD OF ASHFORD & SIMPSON SONGWRITING DUO DIES

Sad news to report, one half of the "solid as a rock" duo has passed away.  Nick Ashford and his wife, Valerie Simpson, wrote the Motown hits 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' and 'Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand.'

   Nick Ashford,  one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson who penned elegant, soulful classics for the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gayes, died Monday, his former publicist said. He was 70.

Ashford, who along with wife, Valerie Simpson, wrote some of Motown's biggest hits, died in a New York City hospital, said Liz Rosenberg, who was Ashford's longtime friend.

He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment, she told the Associated Press.  The duo, who were married for 38 years, helped sell millions of records for several artists.

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