"NO" to Ashford & Simpson ?
Man, are you kidding me ?
With all of the big hits that they wrote for people ?
That's just as dumb as saying "NO'' to Barrett Strong just because he only had one big hit with "Money".

Posted by Bill G. on Tuesday, 07/2/2013 @ 18:08pm

It's a no.

Posted by Mike on Tuesday, 07/2/2013 @ 18:57pm

It's a no.

Posted by Mike.

That's O.K.

I'd probably say "NO" to three of four of YOUR favorites TOO. (LOL)

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 09:52am

I love "Solid as a Rock", but how can Ashford & Simpson be taken seriously for being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a group?

Bill G - care to expound?

Posted by Marissa on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 10:10am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_%26_Simpson

Be happy to, Marissa !! Nick and Valerie should be inducted...not for their recording career, but rather, as WRITERS. They wrote several of Motown's biggest hits. They've also written hits for many non- Motown acts, as well. The list of artists that have recorded their songs includes: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, The Miracles, Ray Charles,Chaka Khan,(with and without Rufus), Teddy Pendergrass,Ronnie Milsap, The Shirelles, Chuck Jackson,The Marvelettes, The Dynamic Superiors,The Brothers Johnson,Martha & The Vandellas,The Supremes, The Temptations, and others. Please read the above link.

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 13:02pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_%26_Simpson#Discography

Even as performers, they have had no less than 4 R.I.A.A. Certified Gold Albums and, although their Pop Chart penetration was somewhat limited, they were virtual superstars on the Billboard R&B Charts...with no less than 35 R&B Charts...including 13 R&B Top 20's & 8 R&B Top 10's

Please read this link too. Thanks !!

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 13:14pm

http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/founders/ashfordsimpson.aspx

Ashford and Simpson have also won numerous awards for their work... including being winners of the prestigious ASCAP FOUNDERS AWARD, which they won for their songwriting in 1996.

They are the recipients of a number of awards including ASCAP's highest honor, The Founder's Award and the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which they received in 1999. In 2002 they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 13:21pm

http://www.soultracks.com/Ashford_and_Simpson

With all of these accomplishments, anybody who doesn't think that Ashford & Simpson shouldn't be inducted is either biased them or against R&B acts in general (which is really stupid) or simply doesn't do enough research. (which is even stupider) .

One thing that I've said on this site many times over the years, is, before people make blanket decisions and assumptions as to whether and artist or group is deserving of induction or not...PLEASE DO THE RESEARCH !!!

(Heck, I would have given Nick and Valerie and award just for staying MARRIED as long as they did ...until Nick's death in 2011).

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 13:31pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Ashford_%26_Simpson

***SONGS WRITTEN BY ASHFORD and SIMPSON include***
(all were chart hits)

"AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH"

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell and Diana Ross

"YOU'RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY"

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Tarrell

"IF THIS WORLD WERE MINE"

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell and Luther Vandross

"YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE"
(Heaven Must Have Sent You from Above)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

"LET'S GO GET STONED"

Ray Charles

"WHO'S GONNA TAKE THE BLAME"

The Miracles

SHOE SHOE SHINE

The Dynamic Superiors

"I'M EVERY WOMAN"

Chaka Khan

"DESTINATION EVERYWHERE"

The Marvelettes

"SOME THINGS YOU NEVER GET USED TO"

The Supremes

"DIDN'T YOU KNOW YOU'D HAVE TO CRY SOMETIME"

Gladys Knight & The Pips

"CLOUDS"

Chaka Khan

"RIDE-O-ROCKET"

The Brothers Johnson

"AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING"

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

"CALIFORNIA SOUL"

the Fifth Dimension

"SURRENDER"

Diana Ross

AIN'T NOTHING BUT A MAYBE"

Chaka Khan and Rufus and Diana Ross

"REACH OUT AND TOUCH"

Diana Ross

"REMEMBER ME"

Diana Ross

"THE BOSS"

Diana Ross

"ONE STEP AT A TIME"

Maxine Brown

NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD

Ronnie Milsap

"GOOD LOVIN AIN'T EASY TO COME BY"

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

"REMEMBER ME"

Diana Ross

"SOLID AS A ROCK"

Ashford & Simpson

"FOUND A CURE"

Ashford & Simpson

"THE ONION SONG"

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

"IT'S MY HOUSE"

Diana Ross

(this is a partial list).

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 14:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/ashfordsimpson?rf=107775899255448&filter=2

...and yet, with all of these industry accomplishments, most FRL voters STILL don't think that they're worthy.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE WORTHY ????

I'll bet that if they were White Rockers or Black Rappers, THEY'D BE INDUCTED ALREADY !!!!

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 14:37pm

But....the fact that LaToya Jackson has a 71% FRL Approval Rating , while Nick and Valerie only have a 49% FRL rating just shows just how screwed up some voters are around here anyway.

"LATOYA JACKSON" ???

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 14:48pm

***CORRECTIONS***

1) "With all of these accomplishments, anybody who doesn't think that Ashford & Simpson shouldn't be inducted is either biased them or against R&B acts in general (which is really stupid) or simply doesn't do enough research. (which is even stupider) ".

I meant "SHOULD BE INDUCTED".

2)"REMEMBER ME"

Diana Ross

(I put it in twice)

3) "Even as performers, they have had no less than 4 R.I.A.A. Certified Gold Albums and, although their Pop Chart penetration was somewhat limited, they were virtual superstars on the Billboard R&B Charts...with no less than 35 R&B Charts...including 13 R&B Top 20's & 8 R&B Top 10's "

I meant to say "no less than 35 R&B Chart HITS".

(Proofread, Bill.Proofread) .

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 15:00pm

Bill - A couple things-First, the fan votes are the most useless thing on this site and they're laughable in almost every genre. Not anything to get worked up about. People are largely voting for LaToya as a joke.

Second, you're correct that Ashford & Simpson are more than worthy of induction as songwriters.

Posted by DarinRG on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 15:32pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg7ATxVX9hs

Cute, yes. Worthy...no.

DarinRG wrote:
Bill - A couple things-First, the fan votes are the most useless thing on this site and they're laughable in almost every genre. Not anything to get worked up about. People are largely voting for LaToya as a joke.

Second, you're correct that Ashford & Simpson are more than worthy of induction as songwriters.

Don't tell me...tell Mike !! (LOL)

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 15:41pm

We're voting in their artistry, right? Not songwriting.

No from me. And I'm not Mike.

Posted by NotMike on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 15:46pm

Please expand on this. I'm really curious to learn what your definition of artistry is, and why it excludes songwriting. I'm also very interested in your opinion about the induction of Leiber & Stoller or Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Posted by The_Claw on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 16:36pm

Yeah, I assumed from the beginning that Mike/notMike was referring to their credibility as performer inductees and I agree with his position there.

I think that a lot of people are unaware of their credentials as songwriters. I wasn't until their name came up in Rock Hall Revisited a few years ago. I then did some homework and agree that they are induction worthy in that capacity.

Posted by DarinRG on Wednesday, 07/3/2013 @ 18:51pm

"Yeah, I assumed from the beginning that Mike/notMike was referring to their credibility as performer inductees and I agree with his position there."

" I think that a lot of people are unaware of their credentials as songwriters. I wasn't until their name came up in Rock Hall Revisited a few years ago. I then did some homework and agree that they are induction worthy in that capacity."

That's why, as I said , it's important to do research.

Neil provides Wikipedia links to every artist on this site . More people here need to USE THEM.

Especially the ones on artists that they know little about because they may not personally be interested in that artist or genre of music.(like classic R&B ).

I had the same problem a couple of years ago when people on this site said that Barrett Strong and Bobby Womack weren't worthy.

If they'd done the research back then, they would have seen otherwise... and wouldn't have been making dumb uninformed statements about artists they didn't think were worthy....and then finding out later that they WERE .

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 16:07pm

"That's why, as I said , it's important to do research." -Bill

I've been known to preach that a time or two. Some people around here genuinely do and some never will.

Posted by DarinRG on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 17:28pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wN_Wbnqthg

****ASHFORD and SIMPSON****

Nick and Valerie sing their biggest hit as performers.

(Special mix)

On this tune, instead of giving their songs to others to record,(like Marvin and Tammi) they decided to sing THIS one THEMSELVES !!!

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 21:57pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg

***AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH***

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:03pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbX66Ddxtow


***YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE***

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:06pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_pmKPWLBrE

***AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH***

(alternative version)

DIANA ROSS

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:10pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJi56BgkM6o

*****SURRENDER*****

Diana Ross

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:14pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJi56BgkM6o

*****SURRENDER*****

Diana Ross

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:15pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLyNsgzEmAc


***DIDN'T YOU KNOW YOU'D HAVE TO CRY SOMETIME***

Gladys Knight & The Pips


written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:18pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdqtmnd2T0U

***YOU'RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY***

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:21pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=629_vLbgv7g


"REACH OUT AND TOUCH"

Diana Ross

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:25pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFwhCLYO_-M

**LET'S GO GET STONED**

Ray Charles

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:34pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dc2TScEJXU

***REMEMBER ME***

Diana Ross

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 22:38pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUKaRpSMuAA


****AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING****

(special extended version)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

written by ASHFORD & SIMPSON

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 23:16pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRAme5JtMWY

Nick and Valerie had two daughters. Here, Oprah interviews Valerie and the girls, Nicole and Asia
who talk about their Husband and Dad.

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 23:25pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fw-Ur87VOY

Oprah interviews Valerie Simpson, who talks about the death of her husband , Nick Ashford .

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 23:29pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fw-Ur87VOY

Oprah interviews Valerie Simpson, who talks about the death of her husband , Nick Ashford .

Posted by Bill G. on Thursday, 07/4/2013 @ 23:29pm

"Please expand on this. I'm really curious to learn what your definition of artistry is, and why it excludes songwriting. I'm also very interested in your opinion about the induction of Leiber & Stoller or Holland-Dozier-Holland."

Posted by The_Claw

Somebody please tell ME how Laura Nyro deserved to be inducted ...But Ashford and Simpson DON'T....despite the fact that Nick and Valerie have FAR more hits as performers AND writers than her ??

I'd LOVE to see your explanation for THIS one !!!

Posted by Bill G. on Friday, 07/5/2013 @ 16:56pm

Answer: Laura Nyro did not deserve induction.

Posted by Dezmond on Friday, 07/5/2013 @ 18:57pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck8gOQXv-Uc

****The MARVELETTES -"Destination: Anywhere" (1968)

Written by Ashford & Simpson.

Nick and Valerie wrote this 1968 single for the Marvelettes. Not one of their biggest hits, but still one of their BEST...and one of my personal favorites. From their Motown (Tamla) album, "Sophisticated Soul".

Posted by Bill G. on Saturday, 07/6/2013 @ 12:11pm

"Answer: Laura Nyro did not deserve induction."

Posted by Dezmond

Well, Dez, Nick and Val definitely DO deserve induction. How about it, RRHOF ? Nick is already gone. Does Valerie have to pass away TOO... before you guys finally DO THE RIGHT THING ???

Posted by Bill G. on Saturday, 07/6/2013 @ 12:15pm

Performers or Non-Performers induction would all be good for Ashford and Simpson. It doesn't matter in their case. A Carole King thing going on here.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 07/7/2013 @ 22:28pm

Here is a great blog article making the case for inducting Ashford & Simpson.

https://www.audiovisualrepository.com/blog/10reasonswhyseriesashfordandsimpson

Posted by J.W. on Friday, 10/7/2022 @ 12:49pm

Ashford & Simpson are one of the biggest snubs for me. They are a perfect choice for musical excellence award as this category can cover both of their songwriter and performer career. It is strange that they have never been nominated.

Posted by power on Wednesday, 09/27/2023 @ 13:39pm

Kinda shocking that they haven't been inducted yet, they seem like they'd have been an easy pick for a side category decades ago. Maybe Hall wants to give them a shot in the performer category first, but hasn't gotten around to nominating them? Seems unlikely though.

Posted by Loganiel on Sunday, 08/11/2024 @ 10:10am