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Industry News
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Ashford & Simpson
How did they meet? In 1964 at the White Rock Baptist Church in New York City. Nick had come to New York from Detroit to pursue a career in theatre as a dancer. Valerie, a piano student since age 5, was playing and singing with the church's legendary choir. Nick joined the choir and the two began writing pop songs for fun. Word of the talented duo spread quickly and soon Ashford & Simpson sold their batch of songs for $64.00. A career was born. Their signature song "Solid" speaks well for their musical and personal relationship. According to the The London Guardian: "It's one thing to write a love song, but it's quite another trick to convince an audience you inhabit one." HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR CAREER: - their Live Aid performance of "Reach Out and Touch" with Teddy Pendergrass in 1985 -their performance at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday celebration in London in 1988. -singing for President Clinton at the 52nd Presidential Inauguration in 1992. -more recently they performed at the White House for the CISAC 39th World Congress. -in April of 1996 they were awarded ASCAP's highest honor: The Founder's Award, presented at the Motown Cafe in New York.
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