GRAMMY nominees Valerie Simpson and her late husband Nickolas Ashford contributed to countless soulful hits for decades as the powerhouse songwriting and production duo (and sometimes as the performers themselves) Ashford & Simpson. At the 2019 GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends earlier this year, they were honored with the Recording Academy's Trustees Award.
During the celebration, Simpson served up a powerful rendition, along with Kenny Lattimore, of one of the songs they penned and produced while working at the iconic Motown, "You're All I Need To Get By." The love song was recorded by none other than Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1968.
Asia Ashford, the daughter of the two honorees, was there to celebrate with her mother, rocking her dad's fabulous vintage gold, beaded jacket.
"I'm pretty sure that he would've been be elated and just so happy to be here, and it's well deserved," Ashford said, smiling. "[My parent's] wrote melodies and they wrote really good lyrics together. I feel like future generations are not writing lyrics as poignant as we're used to hearing, so I hope that [their legacy] effects it well."
The fourth annual GRAMMY Salute extravaganza took place in the heart of Hollywood to honor all of the Recording Academy's 2019 Special Merit Award recipients. Ashford & Simpson were two out of four artists presented with the Recording Academy's prestigious Trustees Award during this year's show. Lou Adler and Johnny Mandel were the other recipients of the honor this year, given to celebrate exemplary contributors to music, outside of performance.
Black Sabbath, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Billy Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Julio Iglesias, Sam & Dave and Dionne Warwick are the 2019 recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and were also celebrated at the show.
Don't forget to tune into GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends on Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check your local listings) to watch Simpson's and Lattimore's full performance, plus more magical moments.
