Duo Ashford and Simpson had a successful writing, producing and performing career during the decades of groove and soul.

Nickolas Ashford was born in 1942 in South Carolina, and his counterpart, Valerie Simpson was born in 1946 in the Bronx. They got together in the 60s writing for artists like Ray Charles ("Let's Go Get Stoned" and "I Don't Need No Doctor"). After joining the Motown crew in 1967, they helped to write every Marvin Gaye single where he recorded with Tammi Terrell during the late 1960s, including the original version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Working within the Motown family, Ashford and Simpson also helped with Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and The Dynamic Superiors.

Their own performing career launched in 1973 with Motown's Keep It Comin' and Warner Bros. Gimme Something Real. Reaching their own performing success in 1977 with the gold Send It, containing the Top Ten R&B hit "Don't Cost You Nothing," and a second gold album Is It Still Good to Ya, the duo hit the music industry running. Stay Free, their third gold album, made Billboard charts with their single "Found a Cure," and 1980s A Musical Affair. That same year they were featured as vocalists on Chaka Khan's hit "Stuff Like That," from Quincy Jones' album of the same name.

Simpson gained solo recognition when she was featured on the songs "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "What's Going On" on the Quincy Jones albums. She recorded her own solo LP for Motown, Exposed and Valerie Simpson in 1971. Ashford produced the hit "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," recorded by Dianna Ross & The Supremes on his own as well.

The duo got married in 1973, and has continued to record in the business. In 1996 they opened a New York City restaurant called Sugar Bar, and were featured disc jockeys on NY's KISS-FM station.