Nickolas Ashford
Nickolas Ashford was a distinguished American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer, best known as one half of the iconic duo Ashford & Simpson. Born on May 4, 1942, in Fairfield, South Carolina, Ashford moved with his family to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he became an active member of the Christ Temple Baptist Church and sang with the Hammond Singers. After graduating from Willow Run High School, he pursued a career in the arts.
In 1964, Ashford moved to New York City, where he met Valerie Simpson at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church. Together, they formed a successful songwriting partnership, initially writing for artists like Ronnie Milsap and Maxine Brown. Their breakthrough came in 1966 when Ray Charles recorded their song "Let's Go Get Stoned," which became a number one U.S. R&B hit.
Ashford & Simpson joined Motown Records in 1966, where they wrote classics such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need to Get By," and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." As performers, their best-known duets include "Solid" and "Found a Cure." The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and received numerous accolades, including the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award and the Grammy Trustee Award.
Nickolas Ashford also appeared as Reverend Oates in the 1991 movie New Jack City. He passed away on August 22, 2011, in Manhattan, New York City, leaving behind a legacy that significantly influenced the music industry.
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