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Nick Ashford, who helped establish a gold standard for R&B duets with wife Valerie Simpson, died Monday in New York of throat cancer. He was 69. Ashford & Simpson penned and produced many ’60s hits for Motown’s Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “Your Precious Love” were also among the twosome’s creations. Nick Ashford also wrote hits for Chuck Jackson, The Shirelles, Maxine Brown, the Fifth Dimension and numerous other artists of the era. Ray Charles’ 1966 No. 1 R&B hit “Let’s Go Get Stoned” was his breakthrough record. They would later write and produce Diana Ross’ biggest solo hits, including her signature “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).” They also wrote Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” which was later recorded by Whitney Houston. Basically, they were mega-hitmakers. Ashford’s death comes amid news that another famous songwriter, Jerry Leiber , passed away yesterday as well. Both will be missed. [Photo: WENN.com]

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Nick Ashford, Motown Songwriter, Passes Away