Legion of Many

Tribute to Nickolas Ashford

A great friend passed yesterday.Songwriter and singer Nick Ashford who as part of the duo Ashford & Simpson wrote a huge number of hit records including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”, “I’m Every Woman”and “California Soul”

Nick was the prime example of a man who found huge success by not trying to emulate others. He told his own story and expressed his emotions with complete honesty through his lyrics and his songs became an inspiration for whole generations of people. As a personality his desire to not fit a mold was also influential. He still looked like he did as a 70’s megastar as he approached 70 himself and he wore the most rock’n'roll fashion that was always cool, stylish and very much him.

Nick’s generosity and support was amazing for someone so successful. Both he and his incredible wife & songwriting partner Valerie Simpson care deeply for all those who they come in contact with and stick by them in difficult times. Nick, and Valerie, allow many young singers and artists to hone their skills under their expert guidance at their club the Sugar Bar on West 72nd Street and have been doing so for well over a decade.

He loved to share a laugh and good story and those lucky enough got to spend many evenings with Nick as he held court upstairs at the Sugar Bar. He loved to party, to sing, to dance and to always celebrate life. If you asked the right questions you could find out about the first time he heard one of his songs on the radio in Spanish Harlem or how walking through Central Park he looked up at the buildings in the distance and came up with the immortal lines “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t No Valley Low Enough” as he pondered how he could really make it in New York City.

Nick Ashford was one of the first people to welcome me to America when I moved over in September 2003 & the Sugar Bar became like a second home to me. His confidence encouraged me to be more playful with clothing as an expression of self, which led to my ultimate conversion into the feather wearing front man of Legion of Many. It may seem to be a homage to Adam Ant or David Bowie, but truly Nick was more of an inspiration to really go there. It was a rare treat that I able to find out first hand how they got those incredible disco string sections on their late 70’s albums or what Marvin Gaye was like in and out the studio.

I will always cherish these memories and I thank Nick for being one of my idols and a wonderful friend, he will be sorely missed.

I send my deepest condolences and warmest love to Valerie, Nicole, Asia and all of the Sugar Bar Family.

Yours

Jeremy Goddard

Read the New York Times Obituary here

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.