Ed Townsend
Encyclopedia
Edward Benjamin 'Ed' Townsend (April 16, 1929 - August 13, 2003) was an American attorney
, songwriter
, and producer. He was best known for performing his composition, "For Your Love," a rhythm and blues doo wop classic, and as the co-writer of "Let's Get It On
" with Marvin Gaye
.
, his family soon moved to Memphis
where his father was called to pastor an African Methodist Episcopal church.
The year Townsend graduated from high school, he was elected to the International American Methodist Episcopal Youth Council (IAMEYC). The honor let him travel worldwide before enrolling in college the next year at Arkansas State College
.
After graduating, he taught for a year. Although he never formally practiced law, he frequently used his law training to assist other entertainers in negotiating their recording and performance contracts.
In 1951, Townsend joined the United States Marine Corps
and served in Korea
. After his discharge, he recorded a number of singles for various labels, none of which made the charts. Ironically, in 1958 he took his ballad, "For Your Love" to Capitol Records
, hoping to interest Nat “King” Cole, but, impressed with his voice, Capitol signed him to record it himself.
Dick Clark had just started American Bandstand
on television and invited Townsend to sing the very first month the show aired. He was an overnight success and the song shot up the charts, reaching #13 on the US pop chart.
Townsend had no further vocal hits of his own. However, in 1962 he wrote a tune for soul singer, Jimmy Holiday, "How Can I Forget?", which was later covered by Ben E. King
, ". Then he wrote and produced Theola Kilgore
’s "The Love Of My Man." He also composed "Tears Of Joy," "Hand It Over," "I Might Like It," "Since I Found You," and "Foolish Fool."
In the early 1970s Ed Townsend teamed up with Marvin Gaye to produce one of the biggest hits of all times, "Let's Get It On" from the album of the same title.
Townsend battled addiction to alcohol and other drugs, but was finally able to overcome it.
In the few years prior to his death, he wrote a full length musical titled, "Rehabilitation: Been There Done That!" which toured Southern California to bring a strong message of sobriety through his artistic genius. He valued it as his "most important work to date". An original cast album was produced on his label, EBT New Life and got extensive radio play nationally across the United States on many gospel and R&B radio stations. In his lifetime he produced close to fifty major artists.
One of his most memorable performances was on the PBS television special "Rock, Rhythm, and Doo Wop" filmed at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
on May 16 and 17, 2000. DVDs of the event were sold as fund raisers for PBS stations nationwide.
Ed Townsend was married once and had two sons and one daughter, Kathryn Griffin-Townsend (one son was David Townsend
, former guitarist
for Surface
). He died on August 13, 2003 in San Bernardino, California
at the age of 74 and enjoyed the company and professionalism of Janice Carbonnaire his last passion. He loved children and honored the families of EBT New LIFE as often as he could celebrating their milestones fully entertaining the large brood of 'adoptees' to his condo/home in Reseda. Around 2002, he began using a wheel chair after he fell a couple times getting to the mic. Although he was able to fully rehabilitate from drugs and alcohol and spent his sober life helping others up from a life of abuse, he never was able to knock his smoking habit and preferred clove tobacco which likely weakened his heart. However, nothing could have weakened his heart more than to see a world ignore his call for a world sobriety check. More love for humanity you could not find, it was shameful that he remained an addict so long. His articulate speech and immaculate writing skills created an unbelievable individual that fostered the careers of so many. With unmarried son David's sudden passing two years later at the youthful age of 50, the sole heir to Ed's works is his sister, Helen. Although Ed Townsend moved away from his roots, he never left them behind. Exacting yet unpretentious, Edward B. Townsend, set a standard for so many other young hopefuls to model. May his memory live on and may we face the denial on a world self-medicating when our families needed us. A world too busy self-medicating and feeling sad and glum than one to pick up the lives of those youths around them and beyond. He wanted everyone to work together, he understood all, he had been there and done that already. Honored with a purple heart in the Korean War, he was given a full military gun salute at his memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
for:
In the R&B world, he is best remembered for his work with Dee Dee Warwick on "I Wanna Be With You","Foolish Fool" and "That's Not Love"
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and producer. He was best known for performing his composition, "For Your Love," a rhythm and blues doo wop classic, and as the co-writer of "Let's Get It On
Let's Get It On (song)
"Let's Get It On" is a song and hit single by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released June 15, 1973 on Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records. The song was recorded on March 22, 1973 at Hitsville West in Los Angeles, California. The song features romantic and sexual lyricism and funk instrumentation by...
" with Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
.
Biography
Although he was born in Fayetteville, TennesseeFayetteville, Tennessee
Fayetteville is a city in Lincoln County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,994 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.-History:...
, his family soon moved to Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
where his father was called to pastor an African Methodist Episcopal church.
The year Townsend graduated from high school, he was elected to the International American Methodist Episcopal Youth Council (IAMEYC). The honor let him travel worldwide before enrolling in college the next year at Arkansas State College
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
.
After graduating, he taught for a year. Although he never formally practiced law, he frequently used his law training to assist other entertainers in negotiating their recording and performance contracts.
In 1951, Townsend joined the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and served in Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. After his discharge, he recorded a number of singles for various labels, none of which made the charts. Ironically, in 1958 he took his ballad, "For Your Love" to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, hoping to interest Nat “King” Cole, but, impressed with his voice, Capitol signed him to record it himself.
Dick Clark had just started American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
on television and invited Townsend to sing the very first month the show aired. He was an overnight success and the song shot up the charts, reaching #13 on the US pop chart.
Townsend had no further vocal hits of his own. However, in 1962 he wrote a tune for soul singer, Jimmy Holiday, "How Can I Forget?", which was later covered by Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
, ". Then he wrote and produced Theola Kilgore
Theola Kilgore
Theola Kilgore was an American soul and gospel singer.She was brought up in Oakland, California, and began singing in church. Her first recording, on which she was billed as Theola Kilgord, was as the featured vocalist on "Look To The Hills" bythe Mount Zion Spiritual Choir, released in 1955...
’s "The Love Of My Man." He also composed "Tears Of Joy," "Hand It Over," "I Might Like It," "Since I Found You," and "Foolish Fool."
In the early 1970s Ed Townsend teamed up with Marvin Gaye to produce one of the biggest hits of all times, "Let's Get It On" from the album of the same title.
Townsend battled addiction to alcohol and other drugs, but was finally able to overcome it.
In the few years prior to his death, he wrote a full length musical titled, "Rehabilitation: Been There Done That!" which toured Southern California to bring a strong message of sobriety through his artistic genius. He valued it as his "most important work to date". An original cast album was produced on his label, EBT New Life and got extensive radio play nationally across the United States on many gospel and R&B radio stations. In his lifetime he produced close to fifty major artists.
One of his most memorable performances was on the PBS television special "Rock, Rhythm, and Doo Wop" filmed at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
on May 16 and 17, 2000. DVDs of the event were sold as fund raisers for PBS stations nationwide.
Ed Townsend was married once and had two sons and one daughter, Kathryn Griffin-Townsend (one son was David Townsend
David Townsend (musician)
David Townsend was an American musician best known as the guitarist for the R&B band Surface, and the son of singer/songwriter Ed Townsend.-Early years:...
, former guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
for Surface
Surface (band)
Surface was an American R&B and pop music group, active from 1983 to 1994, and best known for its #1 pop and R&B hit "The First Time".-Early years:...
). He died on August 13, 2003 in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
at the age of 74 and enjoyed the company and professionalism of Janice Carbonnaire his last passion. He loved children and honored the families of EBT New LIFE as often as he could celebrating their milestones fully entertaining the large brood of 'adoptees' to his condo/home in Reseda. Around 2002, he began using a wheel chair after he fell a couple times getting to the mic. Although he was able to fully rehabilitate from drugs and alcohol and spent his sober life helping others up from a life of abuse, he never was able to knock his smoking habit and preferred clove tobacco which likely weakened his heart. However, nothing could have weakened his heart more than to see a world ignore his call for a world sobriety check. More love for humanity you could not find, it was shameful that he remained an addict so long. His articulate speech and immaculate writing skills created an unbelievable individual that fostered the careers of so many. With unmarried son David's sudden passing two years later at the youthful age of 50, the sole heir to Ed's works is his sister, Helen. Although Ed Townsend moved away from his roots, he never left them behind. Exacting yet unpretentious, Edward B. Townsend, set a standard for so many other young hopefuls to model. May his memory live on and may we face the denial on a world self-medicating when our families needed us. A world too busy self-medicating and feeling sad and glum than one to pick up the lives of those youths around them and beyond. He wanted everyone to work together, he understood all, he had been there and done that already. Honored with a purple heart in the Korean War, he was given a full military gun salute at his memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
Filmography
Townsend served as ComposerComposer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
for:
- Black FistBlack FistBlack Fist is an obscure 1974 blaxploitation film about a streetfighter who goes to work for a white gangster and a corrupt cop. The film is in public domain....
(1975) - The Ultimate Thrill (1974)
In the R&B world, he is best remembered for his work with Dee Dee Warwick on "I Wanna Be With You","Foolish Fool" and "That's Not Love"