Person
Nick Ashford
Fairfield, South Carolina, USA
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…
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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
Movies and shows, newest first
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2010
The Tammi Terrell Story
Movie
-
2007
Queens of Disco
Movie Self
- 2004
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1998
Motown 40: The Music Is Forever
Movie Self
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1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
TV show Self - Guest
-
1991
New Jack City
Movie Reverend Oates
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1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Movie Self [Ashford & Simpson]
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1986
A Fight for Jenny
Movie Original Music Composer
- 1986
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1985
The Equalizer
TV show Self
-
1985
Live Aid
Movie Self
-
1985
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie Self
-
1983
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Movie Self
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1982
Champs-Elysées
TV show Self - Ashford & Simpson
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1980
Magic Night
Movie Self
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1971
Great Performances
TV show Self
More credits
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1961
The Mike Douglas Show
TV show Self
