The Evolution of Valerie Simpson
A look at the singing and songwriting great.
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Come Together - In 1963, the Bronx-native met future husband and songwriting partner Nick Ashford. After the duo recorded unsuccessfully as part of a gospel group, they joined forces with songwriter and former Ikette, Josie Jo Armstead, and began composing songs for recording artists at Scepter/Wand Records.(Photo: Gems/Redferns/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo by Gems/Redferns
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Headed To Motown - After a song they co-wrote, "Let's Go Get Stoned" (originally recorded by The Coasters), was covered by Ray Charles, the song became a major R&B hit in 1966. That same year, Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford joined the songwritng staff of Motown Records. (Photo: Ebet Roberts/Getty Images)
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No Mountain High Enough - At Motown, Ashford and Simpson are paired with singing duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell for whom they write and produce classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love" and "You're All I Need to Get By." Other artists they write for include Diana Ross and Gladys Knight & The Pips.(Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images)
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Keep It Coming - Throughout the 1970s, Valerie and her writing partner score hits for artists outside of Motown like Sylvester ("Over and Over"), Teddy Pendergrass ("Is It Still Good to Ya") and Chaka Khan ("I'm Every Woman").(Photo: David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images)
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Your Precious Love - In 1974, Valerie and Nick got married. The union came a year after the duo (now officially known as Ashford & Simpson) resumed their singing career, releasing their debut LP Gimme Somthing Real on Warner Bros. Valerie released three solo albums, starting with Exposed in 1971, but none were hits.(Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images)
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Solid - As a hit singing duo Ashford & Simpson score gold LPs with Send it (1977), Is It Still Good To Ya (1978), Stay Free (1979) and Solid (1984). And their list of hit singles include bonefide classics such as "Don't Cost You Nothing," "Street Corner," and their signature tune "Solid (As A Rock)."(Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images)
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It's Much Deeper - During the 1990s, Valerie and Nick, while touring off-and-on, ventured into other arenas, opening the restaurant/performance venue Sugar Bar in 1996 and, shortly afterward, becoming disc jockeys at New York radio station WKRS.(Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images)
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Been Found - Like numerous R&B and soul veterans, Valerie's catalog has been discovered by the next generation of R&B and hip hop stars. Valerie's 1972 single "Silly Wasn't I" was sampled by 50 Cent ("Best Friend") and Murs ("Silly Girl"). And Amy Winehouse's "Tears Don't Dry On Their Own" sampled Marvin Gaye and Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."(Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images)
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The Passing of Nick Ashford - The music world was shocked when, on August 22, 2011, Nick Ashford died in a New York City hospital of complications from throat cancer. He and Valerie had two daughters, Nicole and Asia.(Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images)
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On Her Own - Following the death of her husband and creative partner, Valerie Simpson ventured into a solo career, landing a series of shows. She also released her first solo LP in 35 years, Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
