Nick ashford and valerie simpson biography

American songwriting and recording duo

Ashford & Simpson were an American husband-and-wife songwriting, production and recording duo composed of Nickolas Ashford (May 4, – August 22, )^[1] and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, ).^[2]

Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, and Simpson in the Bronx, New York City.

Ashford's family relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he became a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church.

Meet Ashford & Simpson, the Duo Behind Motown's Biggest Hits

While there, he sang with a group called the Hammond Singers (named after the founding minister, James Hammond). Later, Ashford attended and graduated from Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before pursuing his professional career, when he would ultimately meet his wife, Valerie Simpson. They met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined an aspiring solo artist and former member of The Ikettes, Joshie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label, w Ashford, Nick and Simpson, Valerie | HAFOK