Today marks three years since the passing of the lyrical genius, Nick Ashford. He and his wife and writing partner, Valerie Simpson, are without a doubt the most powerful writing team in soul history. In this rare interview, the two of them talk together about Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell‘s massive duet “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Having more than just a sense of writing the song, Ashford and Simpson knew the artists and spoke on their attributes. In this way, Ashford and Simpson were not just writers for the genre, but historians, able to pass down the legacy of the culture.
We thank you, Nick Ashford, for the rich history you gave us.
Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson Talk “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”