Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson became one of the most prolific, versatile and exciting musical couples in recording history. They collected 22 gold and platinum records and more than 50 ASCAP awards.

They met in 1964 at the White Rock Baptist Church in New York City. Nick Ashford had come to New York from Detroit to pursue a career in theatre as a dancer. Valerie Simpson, a piano student since age 5, was playing and singing with the church's legendary choir. Nick joined the choir and the two began writing pop songs for fun. Word of the talented duo spread quickly and soon Ashford & Simpson sold their batch of songs for $64.00. A career was born.

In 1966, Ray Charles scored a hit with their "Let's Go Get Stoned," and soon after the duo signed to Motown as staff writers and producers. Some of the magnificent songs they penned include Gaye/Terrell duets "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "You're All I Need to Get By." Ashford and Simpson also penned Diana Ross' "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," the Miracles' "Who's Gonna Take the Blame," the Marvelettes' "Destination: Anywhere" and Rita Wright's "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You."

In 1971, Nick Ashford also produced Simpson's solo debut "Exposed." In 1973 the couple recorded the duets collection "Keep It Comin'." A move to Warner Bros. preceded 1973's "Gimme Something Real."

Ashford and Simpson were married in 1974 and became one of soul's quintessential partnerships.

The title track from 1977's "So, So Satisfied," was a Top 40 R&B hit, and in 1979 they cracked the pop Top 40 with "Found a Cure." That same year, Chaka Khan recorded their "I'm Every Woman." This song was later covered by Whitney Houston for the soundtrack to her film "The Bodyguard," reaching the Top Five in 1993.

Ashford and Simpson scored one of their biggest hits as performers with their 1985 R&B chart-topper "Solid." This became their signature song and speaks well for their musical and personal relationship. According to The London Guardian: "It's one thing to write a love song, but it's quite another trick to convince an audience you inhabit one."

Highlights of the career of Ashford & Simpson include --

• Live Aid performance of "Reach Out and Touch" with Teddy Pendergrass in 1985
• Performance at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday celebration in London in 1988.
• Singing for President Clinton at the 52nd Presidential Inauguration in 1992.
• Performance at the White House for the CISAC 39th World Congress.
• April of 1996 they were awarded ASCAP's highest honor: The Founder's Award, presented at the Motown Cafe in New York.

Hit songs include --

• Found A Cure
• Solid
• I'll Be There For You
• It Seems To Hang On
• Count Your Blessings
• Outta The World
• Love Don't Make It Right
• Street Corner
• Don't Cost You Nothing
• Is It Still Good To Ya
• One More Try
• Send It
• High-Rise
• Nobody Knows
• Love It Away
• So So Satisfied
• Babies
• It Shows In The Eyes
• Tried, Tested & Found True
• By Way of Love's Express

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