In Loving Memory of Nick Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011). One half of husband & wife songwriting, producing, singing duo, Ashford & Simpson. Apart from having hits themselves with such songs as, Solid, It Seams To Hang On, Street Corner, they wrote & produced many hits for, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ray Charles and many many others. The duo essentially had two careers: one as a successful writing and producing team and the other as singers and performers themselves. They started their career in the mid-1960s, writing for artists such as The 5th Dimension (California Soul), Aretha Franklin (Cry Like A Baby), and Ray Charles (Lets Go Get Stoned and I Dont Need No Doctor). Their work with Charles brought them to the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy. Upon joining the Motown staff in 1966, Ashford & Simpson were paired with the vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and they wrote and/or produced all but one of the late-1960s Gaye/Terrell singles, including hits such as the original version of Aint No Mountain High Enough, Your Precious Love, Aint Nothing Like the Real Thing, and Youre All I Need to Get By. R.I.P.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:17:28 +0000