Ashford - who was one half of Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson - died in a New York City hospital on Monday evening.
Along with his wife - Valerie Simpson - the duo wrote songs for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Chaka Khan, just to name a few.
Ashford & Simpson wrote such classics as
Ain't No Mountain High Enough,
You're All I Need To Get By and
Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand).
Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire
said:
"They had magic and that's what creates those wonderful hits, that magic.
"Without those songs, those artists wouldn't have been able to go to the next level.
"They were always comfortable with each other and they made all of us comfortable, because they were comfortable.
"The thing is, they were married and working together, that was what was special about them; everybody admired that."
The couple of 38 years also owned the
Sugar Bar restaurant in New York City.
Ashford is
survived by Valerie and his two daughters.
