Ashford & Simpson

Formed: 1964

Group Members:
Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

Nickolas "Nick" Ashford (b. 4 May 1942, Fairfield, South Carolina, USA) and Valerie Simpson (b. 26 August 1946, Bronx, New York, USA). This performing and songwriting team met in the choir of Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church. Having recorded, unsuccessfully, as a duo, they joined another aspirant, Jo "Joshie" Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs, "Let's Go Get Stoned", gave Ray Charles a number 1 US R&B hit in 1966. Ashford and Simpson then joined Holland/Dozier/Holland at Motown Records where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" and "Remember Me". Simpson also began "ghosting" for Tammi Terrell when the latter became too ill to continue her partnership with Marvin Gaye, and she sang on part of the duo's Easy album.
In 1971 Simpson embarked on a solo career, but two years later she and Ashford were recording together for Warner Brothers Records. A series of critically welcomed, if sentimental, releases followed, but despite appearing on the soul chart, few crossed over into pop. However, by the end of the decade, the couple achieved their commercial reward with the success of "It Seems To Hang On" (1978) and "Found A Cure" (1979). At the same time their production work for Diana Ross (The Boss) and Gladys Knight (The Touch) enhanced their reputation. Their status as imaginative performers and songwriters was further assured in 1984 when "Solid" became an international hit single. Although their commerical success had dried up by the end of the 80s, Ashford and Simpson, who were married in 1974, remain one of soul's quintessential partnerships. In 1996 they collaborated with poet Maya Angelou on Been Found, and received The Founder's Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Discography:

Album
2002 Gimme Something Real
2002 Performance
1996 Been Found
1989 Love or Physical
1987 Solid Plus Seven
1986 Real Love
1984 Solid
1983 High-Rise
1982 Street Opera
1981 Performance
1980 A Musical Affair
1979 Stay Free
1978 Is It Still Good to Ya
1977 Send It
1977 So So Satisfied
1976 Come As You Are
1974 I Wanna Be Selfish
1973 Keep It Comin'
1973 Gimme Something Real