Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson were a top songwriting team—as well as husband and wife—who became equally successful as performers. They met in 1964 and within two years were writing hits for Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, including the oft-covered “I Don't Need No Doctor”. Recruited by Motown, they wrote singles for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and three Diana Ross albums including her solo debut. Their performing career began with 1973's Keep It Comin' and they scored a U.S. R&B No. 1 with 1984's “Solid”. They continued performing until Ashford died from cancer in 2011.