His longtime friend and former publicist Liz Rosenberg told The Associated Press that Ashford — who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown's biggest hits — died today in a New York City hospital. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment.
Among the songs Ashford & Simpson penned are "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By" and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand".
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
