Celebrity Underrated - The Nick Ashford Story (R&B Group Ashford and Simpson)

The Legacy of Ashford and Simpson

Introduction to Influential Duos in R&B

• The discussion opens with a mention of notable songwriting and producing duos in the R&B genre, including Babyface and LaFace, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, as well as Gamble and Huff.

• Highlights the unique duo of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who were not only talented songwriters but also husband and wife, making their partnership distinctive in the music industry.

The Personal Connection Behind Their Music

• Emphasizes the authenticity of Ashford and Simpson's performances, rooted in their real-life love story; they faced typical couple challenges but resolved conflicts before performing.

• Luther Vandross admired their backgrounds and artistry; they achieved significant recognition with 22 gold/platinum records and numerous awards over four decades.

Nicholas Ashford: Early Life

• Nicholas Ashford was born on May 4th, 1941, in South Carolina but raised in Michigan. He was one of four boys from his parents Alice and Calvin Ashford.

• His early aspirations included becoming an entertainer—actor, singer, or dancer—fueled by his upbringing in church where he began singing for the Gospel Choir.

Struggles Before Success

• After high school graduation in 1959, he attended Eastern Michigan University for three years before dropping out to pursue dance in New York City.

• Faced hardships upon arriving in New York with only $64; struggled financially leading to homelessness while trying to survive on minimal resources.

A Fateful Meeting at Church

• In search of food during his struggles, he found solace at White Rock Baptist Church where he met Valerie Simpson—a gifted pianist who inspired him musically.

• Valerie was trained by ear from a young age; she drew inspiration from artists like Nina Simone. Her family had musical ties that influenced her career path.

Formation of Their Musical Partnership

• Nick approached Valerie about writing gospel songs for her choir group called "The Followers," which led to a collaborative partnership between them.

The Journey of Nick and Valerie: From Gospel to Motown

Transition from Gospel to Secular Music

• The Followers, a gospel group, signed with Roulette Records, known for its mafia connections through Morris Levy. They released an album titled "Meeting H."

• Initially hesitant to write love songs due to their church background, Nick and Val prayed about it and decided to transition into secular music.

• After leaving the Followers, they formed a duo called Valerie and Nick and sold their first batch of songs for $75.

Collaborations and Early Successes

• They collaborated with Joshy Joe Armstead (aka Dena Johnson), focusing on writing songs for various artists under Skep Thean Records.

• One of their significant early hits was "Let's Get Stoned" by Ray Charles, which topped the R&B charts in 1966 shortly after his rehab.

• They also wrote "I Don't Need a Doctor" for Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin's "CED Like a Baby."

Jingles and Industry Recognition

• Valerie found success in jingles, earning close to six figures while working on commercials like Canada Dry Ginger Ale.

• Tension arose as Nick wanted her back in songwriting; he had worked with producer Frank Wilson during this time.

Breakthrough at Motown Records

• Their hit "Let's Get Stoned" caught the attention of Motown producers Holland Dozier Holland, leading them to sign with Motown Records.

• At Motown, they quickly became prolific songwriters, producing three songs within three hours.

Major Hits with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

• Their first song for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell was "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," which reached number 19 on Billboard's pop charts.

• Dusty Springfield expressed interest in recording the song before it was offered to Marvin Gaye; however, Nick and Val declined her request.

Continued Successes

• They wrote several other hits including "Your Precious Love," which peaked at number five on Billboard's pop singles chart.

• For Tammi Terrell’s second album “You’re All I Need,” they produced multiple successful tracks including “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”

Legacy of Collaboration

• The song “You’re All I Need” became iconic; it was recorded just after Tammi returned from brain surgery.

• Valerie contributed significantly during recording sessions despite Tammi’s health challenges.

The Journey of Ashford & Simpson

Early Achievements and Collaborations

• In 1969, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson won three BMI awards for their songs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "Your Precious Love." Notably, Valerie became the first female producer at Motown.

• They collaborated with Diana Ross on her debut solo album released on June 19, 1970. Their song "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)" became a significant hit, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Diana Ross's cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" marked her first solo number one hit across pop and R&B charts, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Transition to Solo Artists

• Despite their success as songwriters for various Motown artists like Gladys Knight & The Pips and Smokey Robinson, fans began urging Ashford & Simpson to release their own music.

• After seven years with Motown, they sought to be recognized as artists rather than just songwriters. They approached Barry Gordy about signing them as artists but felt unsupported in their endeavors.

• Eventually leaving Motown due to lack of promotion, they signed with Warner Brothers and adopted the duo name Ashford & Simpson while establishing their publishing company, Nick Val Music.

Album Releases and Personal Milestones

• Their debut album as a duo titled Give Me Something Real was released in 1973. The following year saw the release of I Want to Be Selfish, which faced challenges due to label obligations and personal circumstances.

• In 1974, they declined an offer to write music for The Whiz, believing that Black audiences would not embrace a Black version of The Wizard of Oz. That same year marked their marriage after nine years together professionally and personally.

Continued Success in Music

• In 1975, Valerie provided background vocals for Paul Simon's hit "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Throughout the late '70s, Ashford & Simpson continued releasing successful albums including Come As You Are (1976), which solidified their presence in the industry.

• Their album Is It Still Good To You (1978) reached number one on R&B charts. The title track became popular alongside Teddy Pendergrass’s remake that also gained traction during this period.

Collaborations with Other Artists

• In collaboration with Shaka Khan post-Rufus breakup, they wrote her debut single “I’m Every Woman,” which topped several charts. Whitney Houston later remade it for The Bodyguard, achieving global success.

History of Ashford & Simpson's Musical Journey

Early Success and Influences

• In 1979, Ashford & Simpson released the album Stay Free, which achieved gold certification. The single "Found a Cure" topped the Billboard Disco Top 100 chart.

• They drew inspiration from Club Studio 54 during the disco era, where HIV and AIDS awareness was significant. Their song "Found a Cure" resonated as a message of hope for those affected by AIDS.

Notable Collaborations and Releases

• In 1980, they performed at Budweiser Summer Fest alongside notable artists like The O'Jays and Rick James.

• After leaving Warner Brothers in 1982, they signed with Capitol Records and released Street Opera. They also made an appearance on the soap opera Guiding Light.

Breakthrough Album: Solid

• The year 1984 marked a turning point with their album Solid, which reached number one on the US R&B Albums chart and was certified gold.

• The single "Solid (As a Rock)" became immensely popular, hitting multiple charts including number one on Hot Black Singles and number three in the UK Singles Chart.

Grammy Nominations and Live Performances

• They were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group but lost to Commodores' "Night Shift."

• On July 13, 1985, Teddy Pendergrass performed live after his accident, singing "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand," written by Ashford & Simpson.

Continued Success into the Late '80s

• In 1986, they released their twelfth album titled Real Love, earning another Grammy nomination but losing to Prince's "Kiss."

• That same year featured appearances on TV shows like The Equalizer and One Life to Live.

Later Works and Legacy

• In 1989, they wrote “Uh-Ooh Look Out Here It Comes” for Roberta Flack that topped dance club play charts.

• By 1996, they established their own label Hop Sack & Silk Records while releasing their final album titled Ben Found, collaborating with Maya Angelou.

Business Ventures

Ashford & Simpson: A Legacy in Music

Achievements and Recognition

• Ashford and Simpson became DJs for New York's classic soul station in 1999, showcasing their influence beyond songwriting.

• They received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 2002, highlighting their significant contributions to the genre.

• In 2009, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a testament to their enduring impact on music history.

• At President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, they dedicated a rewritten version of their song "Solid" as "Barack," celebrating his presidency.

Personal Struggles and Legacy

• Nick Ashford passed away from throat cancer on August 22, 2011, just days before Valerie Simpson's birthday; he had been undergoing treatment since March.

• Despite being diagnosed with throat cancer after experiencing voice issues, Nick maintained a healthy lifestyle as a vegetarian and non-smoker for over 30 years.

• Following Nick's death, Valerie continued to honor their legacy by releasing new music; her solo album "Dinosaurs Are Coming Back" was released in June 2012.

Continued Contributions

• In 2019, Ashford and Simpson received the Grammy Trustees Award for significant contributions to music outside of performance.

• Valerie Simpson was inducted into the Women's Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021 alongside other notable artists like Roberta Flack and Naomi Judd.

Emotional Impact on Performances

• Valerie still performs but expresses deep emotional challenges when singing songs that she shared with Nick; she finds it difficult to perform alone after so many years together.