Tuesday, August 23, 2011

R.I.P. Nick Ashford


Nick Ashford, half of the Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned elegant, soulful classics for singers Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye and funk hits for Chaka Khan and others, died Monday, his former publicist said. He was 70.

Ashford, who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown's biggest hits, died in a New York City hospital, said publicist and longtime friend Liz Rosenberg. He had throat cancer.

Though they had some of their greatest success at Motown with classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" by Ross and "You're All I Need to Get By" by Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Ashford & Simpson also created anthems for others, like "I'm Every Woman" by Khan (which was later remade by Whitney Houston).

Ashford & Simpson also had success writing for themselves: Perhaps the best-known song they performed was the 1980s hit "Solid."

"His music is unmatched in terms of great songwriting," Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire said after learning of his friend's death. "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."

Ashford and Simpson met in 1964 in a New York City church. Ashford, who was born in 1941 in Fairfield, S.C., and raised in Willow Run, Mich., had come to the city to pursue a dance career. Simpson was a music student, and after they connected, they decided to write songs together.

Their first major success occurred when they and writing partner Jo Armstead came up with "Let's Go Get Stoned" for Ray Charles. The bluesy, gospel-tinged song became a huge hit for Charles, and Ashford and Simpson soon came to the attention of Motown Records and began penning hits for the label's artists.

They started out writing soulful, romantic works for the duo of Gaye and Terrell that would become instant classics, like "Your Precious Love," "Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Ross later recorded "Ain't No Mountain" with a new arrangement that had sweeping pop grandeur and made it her signature song.

Ross may have been Ashford & Simpson's greatest muse: They had some of their biggest songs with her and helped give her career-defining hits that would distinguish her solo career apart from the Supremes. Among the songs Ross made hits were "Reach Out and Touch," "The Boss," "My House," and "Missing You," a tribute to the late Gaye and others.

The duo, married since the mid-1970s, nurtured both the personal and professional aspects of their relationship.

"A long time ago I accepted that this would be an all-consuming relationship," Simpson said in a 1981 interview with The Times. "To keep it going we've worked out ways to get along so we don't drive each other crazy.…

"We don't hold things in," she said. "We can't stay mad and get any work done. Other couples can stay mad at each other for days because they don't have to work together. We don't have that luxury, and it's been good for us that we don't."

In 2002, Ashford & Simpson were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Ashford's survivors include his wife and two daughters.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

PLAYLIST | Rose Alley Ale House | 8.20.2011

11:00pm
A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
Dudley Perkins - Money
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Rufus & Chaka Khan - You Got The Love
Warren G Ft. Michael Mcdonald - Regulate
A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full
Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
Skee-Lo - I Wish
Snoop Dogg ft Nate Dogg - Ain't No Fun
L.L. Cool J - Around the way girl
Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
Cameo - Word Up
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
4New Edition - Cool It Now
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
Salt N Pepa - Push It
12:00am
Stevie B - Spring Love
Tony Toni Tone - It Feels Good
Wham - Everything She Wants
House of Pain - Jump Around
Kriss Kross - Jump
De La Soul - Me Myself And I
Bel Biv DeVoe - Do Me!
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario
Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yours 12"
The Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey
Run D.M.C. - It's Tricky
Prince - U Got The Look
Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Starting Something
Rick James - Give It To Me Baby
Young MC - Bust A Move
Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)
Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
Shalamar - Forget me Nots
Digital Underground - Kiss Me Back
Prince - Kiss
Another Bad Creation - Iesha
1:00am
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
De La Soul - Say No Go
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
Keith Sweat - I Want Her
Biggie - Juicy
Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Horray
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It
Mad Lion - Take It Easy
Biz Markie - Just A Friend
A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
Common - The Light
Arrested Development - People Everyday
Biggie - Unbelievable 
END

PLAYLIST | The Wave | 8.19.2010

9:00pm
The Band - Up on Cripple Creek
Police, The - Canary In A Coalmine
Iggy Pop - Candy
Cure - Inbetween Days
Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
Doors - Love Her Madly
Chicago - 25 Or 6 To 4
The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - I Need To Know
The Cars - Shake It Up
A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran
Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
The Clash - London Calling
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son
The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar
Talking Heads - And She Was
Steely Dan - Do It Again
Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
Steely Dan - Deacon Blues
Michael Mcdonald - I Keep Forgettin'
10:00pm
Lords of the Underground - Funky Child
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Kaya
Otis Redding - Hard To Handle
Little River Band - Reminiscing
George Benson - Gonna Love You More
Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun
Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care
Led Zeppelin - D'yer Mak'er
Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Bell Biv Devoe - I Thought it Was Me
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars - Nothin On You
Kardinal Offishall - Dangerous feat. Akon
Usher Feat. Lil' Jon and Ludac - Yeah
Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body
Rihanna - Pon de Replay
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Usher Ft Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin In Love
11:00pm
Kesha - We R Who We R
Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
Flo Rida - Get Low
Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
LMFAO ft Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock - Party Rock Anthem
Michael Jackson - Working Day And Night
Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music
Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock
Tone Loc - Wild Thing
GQ - Disco Nights
Marvin Gaye - Gotta Give It Up
Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)
Stevie B - I Wanna Be the One
Rick James - Give It To Me Baby
Chic - Le Freak
Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
Heatwave - Boogie Nights
Zapp & Roger - I Can Make You Dance
Digital Underground - Kiss Me Back
Boys II Men - Mowtown Philly
12:00am
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Digital Underground - Doowutchyalike
Stetsasonic - Talkin' All That Jazz
Bel Biv DeVoe - Do Me!
A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
50 Cent - In Da Club
Biggie - Big Poppa
Biz Markie - Just A Friend
The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
Biggie - Juicy
Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
Beyoncé - Naughty Girl
Snoop Dogg ft Nate Dogg - Ain't No Fun
Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
Kings of Leon - Sex On Fire
House of Pain - Jump Around
Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Horray 
END

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

PLAYLIST | The Wave | 8.12.2011

9:00pm
Steely Dan - Black Cow
Jeff Lorber - Rain Dance
BlackByrds - Mysterious Vibes
Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
Shanice - I Love Your Smile
Oingo Boingo - Dead Mans Party
A-ha - Take On Me
George Benson - Gonna Love You More
The Ohio Players - Fopp
Little River Band - Reminiscing
Billy Squier - The Stroke
A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight
Talib Kweli - The Blast
Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out
Mary J. Blige - Real Love
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
10:00pm
The JB's - Givin' Up Food For Funk (Parts 1 & 2)
Steve Miller Band - Fly Like An Eagle
Talking Heads - Take Me to the River
Le Pamplemousse - Gimme What You Got
PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
Zhané - Hey Mr. D.J.
Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies
Montell Jordan - Get It On Tonite
Mary J. Blige - Family Affairs
Jackson Five - I Want You Back
Common - The Light
James Brown - Make It Funky
Beyonce - Naughty Girl
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars - Nothin On You
Erick Sermon - Music
Skee-Lo - I Wish
Rihanna - Pon de Replay (Clean)
Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake - Give It To Me
Usher Feat. Lil' Jon and Ludac - Yeah
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
De La Soul - Say No Go
Slave - Just a Touch of Love
11:00pm
Michael Jackson - PYT
Mary Jane Girls - Ring My Bell
Tom Jones - She's A Lady
Def Leppard - Animal
Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
Earth Wind and Fire - Brick House
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Bananarama - Cruel Summer
Bel Biv DeVoe - Do Me!
Bee Gees - Night Fever
KC & The Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It)
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
Shalamar - A Night To Remember
George Benson - Gimme The Night
Another Bad Creation - Iesha
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - Joy and Pain
Chic - Good Times
Stevie Wonder - Do I Do
12:00am
Blondie - Heart of Glass
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
Shalamar - Forget me Nots
De La Soul - Me Myself And I
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage
Wham - Everything She Wants
Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
Cameo - Word Up
Michael Jackson - Don't stop till you get enough
Rick James - Give It To Me Baby
Eddie Grant - Electric Avenue
Stevie B - I Wanna Be the One
Lipps Inc. - Funkytown
Marvin Gaye - Gotta Give It Up
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
Ready for the World - Oh Sheila
Rick James - Superfreak
The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar
Biggie - Big Poppa
A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
Outkast - Rosa Parks
END

Friday, August 5, 2011

PLAYLIST | The Ice Chest | 8.3.2011

8:00 pm 
Police, The - Can't Stand Losing You
Iggy Pop - Candy
Steely Dan - I'm a Fool To Do Your Dirty Work
Bob Marley & The Wailers - All Day All Night
The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face
The Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Barry White - Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
Raydio FT. Ray Parker JR. - You Can't Change That
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Mary Jane's Last Dance
Leroy Hutson - All Because Of You
The Meters - Cardova
Earth Wind & Fire - Fatasy
Billy Squier - The Stroke
Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy
Curtis Mayfield - Tripping Out
Leon Haywood - I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You
Stevie Wonder - Maybe Your Baby
9:00 pm
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself
Greyboy - Lite Bake
Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
Steely Dan - Black Cow
Michael Mcdonald - I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
Police, The - Bring On The Night
Janet Jackson - Nasty Boys
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
Paula Abdul - Straight Up
Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
David Bowie - Fame
Little River Band - Reminiscing
Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
Led Zeppelin - All My Love
Guess Who - These Eyes
Montell Jordan - Get It On Tonite
10:00 pm
Soul 2 Soul - Back To Life
Arrested Development - People Everyday
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick
Common - The Light
Bobby Caldwell - Open Your Eyes
The Honey Drippers - Impeach The President
Superman Lover
Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Me Away
Biggie - Unbelievable
The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
De La Soul - Itsoweezee
Parliament - Mothership Connection
Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllablicsesquedalymistic
The JB's - Same Beat
Slum Village - Fall In Love
A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum
Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check
Rick James - Mary Jane
William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got
Al Green - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
11:00 pm
George Benson - Gonna Love You More
The Pharcyde - Runnin'
A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God
Dr Dre - Nuthin' But A G Thang
Delegation - Oh Honey
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down
The Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
Biggie - Juicy
Warren G Ft. Michael Mcdonald - Regulate
Whodini - Friends
A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full
Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
Paperboy - Ditty
George McCrae - I Get Lifted
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies
A Tribe Called Quest - Luck Of Lucien
Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce
Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
Boz Scaggs - Lowdown
Wham! - Everything She Wants
Lakeslide - Fantastic Voyage
New Edition - Cool It Now
Stevie B - Spring Love
Tony Toni Tone - It Feels Good
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
Young MC - Bust A Move
Rick James - Give It To Me Baby
Eddie Grant - Electric Avenue
Prince - Raspberry Beret
Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
Tone Loc - Wild Thing
Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music
Mary Jane Girls - Meeting In The Ladys Room
Salt N Pepa - Push It
LMFAO ft Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock - Party Rock Anthem
12:00 am
Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina - Stereo Love
Yolanda Be Cool ft Dcup - We No Speak Americano
Far East Movement ft The Cataracs & Dev - Like a G6
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man
Naughty By Nature - Everything's Gonna Be Alright
Rufus Thomas - Do The Funky Penguin
Jacksons - Enjoy Yourself
Zhané - Hey Mr. D.J.
Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yours
De La Soul - Say No Go
Cameo - Candy
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - White Lines
END

Monday, August 1, 2011

PLAYLIST | The Wave | 7.29.2011

9:00 pm
Police, The - Walking On The Moon
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
The Mighty Diamonds - Pass the Kuchie
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Kool & The Gang - More Funky Stuff
Dr. Dre - The Next Episode
A Tribe Called Quest - 1nce Again
George Benson - Gonna Love You More
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face
The Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Mary Jane's Last Dance
Barry White - Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
En Vogue - Hold on
Blackstreet - No Diggity (feat. Dr. Dre)
50 Cent - 21 Questions
Biggie - Hypnotize
Dr Dre - Nuthin' But A G Thang
The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
Biggie - Unbelievable
Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind
Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be
10:00 pm
Casper - The Cha Cha Slide
Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Usher Ft Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin In Love
Kesha - We R Who We R
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
Young MC - Bust A Move
California Swag District - Teach Me How To Dougie
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It's Hot
Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow
Kings of Leon - Sex On Fire
Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
Earth, Wind & Fire - That's The Way Of The World
Barry White - Playing Your Game, Baby
Biggie - Big Poppa
Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye
Biz Markie - Just A Friend
Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear
Arrested Development - People Everyday
11:00 pm
Biggie - One More Chance
Method Man Featuring Mary J. Blige - I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By
A Tribe Called Quest - Find A Way
Al Green - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God
Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out
Delegation - Oh Honey
Biggie - Juicy
Eric B & Rakim - Eric B. Is President
Gang Starr - Take It Personal
James Brown - Make It Funky
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick
Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
A Tribe Called Quest - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
Herb Alpert - Rise
Paperboy - Ditty
Erick Sermon - Music
Warren G Ft. Michael Mcdonald - Regulate
A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
12:00 am
Snoop Dogg ft Nate Dogg - Ain't No Fun
Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Horray
Ice Cube - Check Yo Self [Remix]
PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance
Slick Rick - Children's Story
Andrea True Connection - More, More,More
Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive
Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
Teddy Riley - Rump Shaker
A Tribe Called Quest - Luck Of Lucien
Parliament - Flash Light
Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce
Cameo - Candy
De La Soul - Say No Go
George Benson - Give Me the Night
Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - Joy and Pain
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
Boys II Men - Mowtown Philly
Another Bad Creation - Iesha
De La Soul - Me Myself And I
New Edition - Cool It Now
Stevie B - Spring Love
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
Prince - Raspberry Beret
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
Tone Loc - Wild Thing
Journey - Don't Stop Believing
END