Ashford & Simpson

Nick Ashford (born May 4, 1942, Fairfield, South Carolina) and Valerie Simpson (born Aug 26, 1946, New York City, New York) are celebrated songwriters and performers who met in 1964. They found early success with hits like "Let's Go Get Stoned" for Ray Charles and later wrote for Motown artists like Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Ashford & Simpson's performing career took off in 1973 with albums like Keep It Comin' and Gimme Something Real, leading to crossover success with hits such as "Don't Cost You Nothing" and "It Seems to Hang On."

Throughout the '80s and beyond, Ashford & Simpson continued their collaboration with other artists while enjoying a resurgence in their own career with the gold album Solid in 1984. The album produced the R&B number one "Solid" and other hits like "Outta the World" and "Babies." Despite Nick Ashford's passing in 2011 due to complications from throat cancer, their legacy as influential musicians and performers endures.