Nick Ashford, Lydia & Jim Bessman at the Sugar Bar, 2005
On May 5, 2005 I was in New York for the SESAC Pop Awards, and at 10:00 p.m. announced that someone had to take me out so I could celebrate my May 6 birthday when the clock struck midnight. Jim Bessman from Billboardsaid I was going with him to The Sugar Bar, a venue owned by songwriters Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. So we hopped a bus and headed to West 72ndStreet where the Thursday night open mic was already in full swing with Valerie sitting by the stage clapping and singing along.
Jim and I made our way upstairs where Nick was holding court with all of the regulars who had become family at that point. He flashed his 1000-watt smile at Jim and gave him a big hug, and when he found out my birthday was an hour away he laughed and said his was yesterday (May 4). What followed was a big singing and dancing Taurean love fest.
At midnight Nick sent a bottle of champagne to my table and then grabbed me to dance with him and sing along to “What a Fool Believes.” It was a perfect night and a fitting celebration of life. Afterward, the mere mention of Nick Ashford’s name caused a big smile to take over my face. He embodied and radiated joy.
Yesterday the world lost that smile when Nick Ashford passed away at age 70 after a battle with throat cancer. What a legacy of music, love and laughter he has left us, though. I thought this interview from our archives would be a fitting tribute for someone who believed in the importance of a song to be a living, breathing thing that bristled with energy and soulful emotion. Just like Nick.
Our hearts go out to Valerie Simpson, his wife of 38 years, his children, family and all those who loved him. He will be so very missed.
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