| Summary: | Singer songwriter Valerie Simpson was born on August 26, 1946 and raised in the Bronx, New York. In 1964, she met Nick Ashford at the White Rock Baptist Church, where they both sang in the choir. Together, the two formed the singer songwriter team Ashford & Simpson, and wrote Let's Go Get Stoned, a major hit for Ray Charles in 1966. They penned numerous hits for Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell, including classics, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Your Precious Love, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, and You're All I Need to Get By. Ashford & Simpson helped launch Diana Ross' solo career with hits like Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) and The Boss. Both a successful writing and producing team as well as singers and performers, the duo won numerous awards and honors. Simpson continued performing, writing and producing after Ashford died in New York City on August 22, 2011.
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