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Ashford & Simpson
Ashford and Simpson.jpg
Ashford & Simpson in New York City, March 2000
Background information
Origin New York, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active 1964–2011
Labels Motown, Warner Bros., Capitol
Associated acts
Past members Nickolas Ashford (deceased)
Valerie Simpson

Ashford & Simpson was a famous American husband-and-wife team. Nickolas Ashford (1941–2011) and Valerie Simpson (born 1946) were amazing songwriters, music producers, and singers. They created many hit songs for other artists and also had their own successful singing career.

Nickolas Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina. Valerie Simpson was born in the Bronx, New York City. Nickolas's family later moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan. There, he sang in a group called the Hammond Singers. Nickolas and Valerie met in Harlem in 1964.

They first tried to record music as a duo, but it wasn't successful. Later, they joined a record label called Scepter/Wand. Their songs were recorded by artists like Maxine Brown and the Shirelles.

In 1966, Ashford & Simpson joined Motown Records. This is where they wrote some of their most famous songs. These include "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need to Get By," and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." They also wrote "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." Later, they wrote Chaka Khan's big hit "I'm Every Woman" in 1978.

As performers, Ashford & Simpson were known for their duets. Their most famous songs were "Solid" (1984) and "Found a Cure" (1979).

Ashford & Simpson were honored for their work many times. They were added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. They also received the Pioneer Award from The Rhythm & Blues Foundation. They won the Founders Award from ASCAP and the Grammy Trustee Award. Rolling Stone magazine even called them one of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.

Career in Music

Ashford & Simpson had two main parts to their music career. First, they were a very successful team writing and producing songs for others. Second, they were popular singers and performers themselves.

Songwriters

See also: List of songs written by Ashford & Simpson

Their talent for songwriting caught the attention of Motown boss Berry Gordy.

When they joined Motown in 1966, they worked with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. They wrote and produced almost all of Gaye and Terrell's hit songs in the late 1960s. These hits included the original "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "You're All I Need to Get By."

Ashford & Simpson also wrote and produced many songs for former Supreme Diana Ross. They worked on three of her albums in the 1970s. These included her first solo album, Diana Ross, which featured "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." They also worked on Surrender and The Boss. All these albums were very popular.

They also worked with other Motown artists. These included Gladys Knight & the Pips, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. Outside of Motown, they wrote hits for Teddy Pendergrass and Chaka Khan.

Performers

Ashford & Simpson started their singing career in the early 1960s. They were part of a gospel group called the Followers. In 1964, they recorded a song called "I'll Find You" as "Valerie & Nick."

Valerie Simpson also sang on her own. She was a featured singer on songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" for Quincy Jones in the early 1970s. She also released two solo albums with Motown: Exposed (1971) and Valerie Simpson (1972). Her song "Silly, Wasn't I" from her second album was later used in songs by artists like 50 Cent.

In 1973, Ashford & Simpson left Motown. They felt their solo albums weren't promoted well. In 1974, Nickolas and Valerie got married. They then restarted their career as a duo. They released albums like Gimme Something Real (1973) and I Wanna Be Selfish (1974) with Warner Bros..

They had many hit singles in the late 1970s and 1980s. These included "Don't Cost You Nothin'" (1977), "It Seems To Hang On" (1978), "Found a Cure" (1979), and their biggest hit, "Solid" (1984).

In 1978, they sang with Chaka Khan on the hit song "Stuff Like That" from Quincy Jones' album. Nickolas Ashford also appeared in the movie New Jack City (1991). Valerie's brothers were also in the music business. Her brother Ray Simpson sang with the Village People. Her brother Jimmy Simpson produced the group GQ.

Personal life

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson had two daughters. Their names are Nicole (born in 1975) and Asia (born in 1987).

Awards and nominations

In 1969, Ashford and Simpson won three BMI Awards. These were for their songs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "Your Precious Love."

They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. They also received the Pioneer Award from The Rhythm & Blues Foundation in 1999. In 1996, they received ASCAP's highest honor, the Founders Award.

Grammy Awards

Ashford and Simpson were nominated for three Grammy Awards. In 2019, they received the Grammy Trustees Award.


Year Nominee / work Award Result
1985 Ashford And Simpson Best Video, Short Form Nominated
1986 Solid Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Nominated
1987 Real Love Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Nominated

Discography

Ashford & Simpson released many albums and singles throughout their career.

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Performance (1981, Warner Bros.)
  • The Real Thing (2009, Burgundy)

Compilation albums

  • The Best of Ashford & Simpson (1993, Capitol)
  • Capitol Gold: The Best of Ashford & Simpson (1996, Capitol)
  • The Gospel According to Ashford & Simpson: Count Your Blessings (1996, EMI)
  • The Very Best of Ashford & Simpson (2002, Warner Bros./Rhino)
  • The Warner Bros. Years: Hits, Remixes & Rarities (2008, Rhino)

Singles

  • "I'll Find You" (1964)
  • "(I'd Know You) Anywhere" (1973)
  • "Main Line" (1974)
  • "Somebody Told a Lie" (1976)
  • "Send It" (1977)
  • "Don't Cost You Nothing" (1978)
  • "Stuff Like That" (with Quincy Jones & Chaka Khan) (1978)
  • "It Seems to Hang On" (1978)
  • "Found a Cure" (1979)
  • "Love Don't Make It Right" (1980)
  • "Street Corner" (1982)
  • "High-Rise" (1983)
  • "Solid" (1984) - Certified Gold
  • "Outta the World" (1985)
  • "Babies" (1985)
  • "Count Your Blessings" (1986)
  • "I'll Be There for You" (1989)
  • "Hungry for Me Again" (1990)
  • "Been Found" (1996)
  • "We Are Family" (with Various Artists) (2001)

Valerie Simpson solo recordings

Valerie Simpson released her own albums and singles.

Albums
  • Exposed (1971, Tamla)
  • Valerie Simpson (1972, Tamla)
  • Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again (2012, Hopsack & Silk)
Singles
  • "Silly Wasn't I" (1972)

Nick Ashford solo recordings

Nick Ashford also released solo singles.

Singles
  • "I Don't Need No Doctor" (1966)
  • "California Soul" (1968)

See also

In Spanish: Ashford & Simpson para niños

  • List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
  • List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart