6. Nick Ashford
Half of the husband-and-wife songwriting team Ashford & Simpson, Nick Ashford died in at the age of 70 after his battle with throat cancer. The Motown hitmaker’s tunes included “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I’m Every Woman.” Mr. Ashford is survived by Ms. Simpson as well as two daughters, Nicole and Asia; three brothers, Paul, Albert and Frank; and his mother, Alice Ashford.
