Ashford & Simpson's first hit song was "Let's Go Get Stoned," originally recorded by the Coasters in 1965, and covered by Ray Charles (it was No. 33 on the charts in 1966) and Joe Cocker at Woodstock in 1969. Despite lyrics that reference alcohol ( "bottle of gin," "a little nip"), it has been embraced as a "stoner song," thanks to the daring title.
Nick Ashford - half of the songwriting and performing duo - passed away yesterday in New York from throat cancer. He was 69. Ashford & Simpson wrote many Motown classics, such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Your All I Need to Get By." They also penned Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman." As performers, A&S had hits with "Solid (As a Rock)" (No. 12, 1984) and "Found a Cure" (No. 36, 1979).
Ashford is survived by his wife, Valerie Simpson, and their two daughters.
Ashford & Simpson
