I am so incredibly saddened by the deaths of Nick Ashford of Ashford and Simpson ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," along with "You're All I Need To Get By. and Jerry Leiber of Leiber and Stoller (Clovers ("Love Potion No. 9"), the Drifters ("Ruby Baby"), the Cheers ("Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots"), the Robins ("Smokey Joe's Cafe," "Riot in Cell Block No. 9") and, especially, a Robins' spinoff group that Leiber and Stoller helped create, the Coasters ("Searchin'," "Yakety Yak," "Poison Ivy," "Charlie Brown," "Down in Mexico," "Little Egypt").
I saw Ashford and Simpson live many times in NYC and they were among my all-time favorites and brilliant live performers.
With these two great songwriters gone, it’s like a 1-2 punch to the art of songwriting. How many folk are left who can write perfect 3 or 4 minute R&B and pop tunes that will last forever?
A sad day for the music business and music lovers alike.
A sad day for the music business and music lovers alike.
Evan Ginzburg
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