Nick Ashford
Born: 1941-05-04 in Fairfield, South Carolina, USA
Died: 2011-08-22
Known For: Acting
Biography
Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011) was an American R&B singer and songwriter, best known for his musical partnership with his wife Valerie Simpson as the duo Ashford & Simpson. He was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he began singing and writing music in a church gospel choir. After briefly attending Eastern Michigan University, he moved to New York to pursue a career in entertainment. In 1964, he met Valerie Simpson in Harlem, and the two began writing songs together. Their breakthrough came when Ray Charles recorded “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” leading to a contract with Motown in 1966, where they became successful songwriters and producers. Ashford and Simpson later married in 1974 and continued to work together as performers and composers. Ashford died on August 22, 2011, in New York at the age of 70 after battling throat cancer.
Filmography
2004
1998
- Motown 40: The Music Is Forever as Self
1996
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self - Guest
1991
- New Jack City as Reverend Oates
1988
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute as Self [Ashford & Simpson]
1986
- A Fight for Jenny ... (Original Music Composer)
1985
- The Equalizer as Self
- Live Aid as Self
- Night of 100 Stars II as Self
1983
1982
- Champs-Elysées as Self - Ashford & Simpson
1980
- Magic Night as Self
1971
- Great Performances as Self
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self