Throwback Vid: Ashford and Simpson - 'Reach Out And Touch' (Live Aid 1985)

Ashford and Simpson wrote many hit songs including Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" (1978) and Teddy Pendergrass's "Is It Still Good to You?" As performers, Ashford & Simpson's best-known duet is "Solid (As a Rock)" (1984), which was sampled by MC Lyte's on her debut album 'Lyte As A Rock' in 1988. Ashford and Simpson have been sampled by many other artists borrowing from the vast pool of music, this includes the sound for the late Amy Winehouse’s 'Tears Dry On Their Own', also rapper DMX, RnB singer Tyrese, producer 9th Wonder and 50 Cent have all used a part of the duo’s work in some capacity. Nick Ashford passed away this past August...Read more and watch video inside of Valerie and their daughters reflect on his life, which aired on Oprah's Next Chapter.

Nickolas Ashford, and Valerie Simpson, were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists. They met in 1963 and after working with several solo artists composing on projects, they penned the song "Let's Go Get Stoned", which gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year the duo joined the legendary Motown label, where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and "You're All I Need To Get By", both penned for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. "You're All I Need To Get By" was flipped in 1995 by Method Man featuring R&B songstress Mary J. Blige. They also wrote the hits "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" recorded by Diana Ross on her first solo album, and went on to write and produce almost all tracks off three of Ms. Ross albums in the 1970's

The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Nick Ashford, one half of the iconic singer-songwriter team passed away August 22, 2012 after battling throat cancer for some time, succumbing to disease at the age 69. He is survived by his wife Valerie Simpson and two daughters, Nicole and Asia.

R.I.P. Nick Ashford

Valerie Loses Her Partner in Music and Marriage - Oprah's Next Chapter - Oprah Winfrey Network




Nick Ashford's Daughters Remember Their Father - Oprah's Next Chapter - Oprah Winfrey Network




Ashford & Simpson and Teddy Pendergrass - "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand"