Born: 16th April 1929, Fayetteville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Died: 13th August 2003, San Bernardino, California, U.S.A.
Graduated from Arkansas state college and taught briefly before joining the Marine Corps and serving two years in Korea. Toured the Far East with bandleader Horace Heidt and moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s.
Singer/songwriter renowned for his 1958 hit For Your Love and a string of hits which he also wrote. Also co-wrote and and co-produced the 1973 hit Let’s Get It On (along with three other songs on Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On album). Worked with Gaye again on 1978’s Here, My Dear.
Endured a life long battle with alcoholism and in 2001 he set up his own charity, EBT New Life Inc, and the associated 12 Step Records to assist others in recovery from addiction.
His son David Townsend (1955-2005) was a member of soul trio Surface.
Father of David Rogers, Mike Townsend, David Townsend.
Aka Edward Townley for copyright credits.
See also The Townsmen.