Ed Townsend facts for kids

Edward Benjamin Townsend (born April 16, 1929 – died August 13, 2003) was a talented American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was also a lawyer. Ed Townsend is famous for performing and writing the classic rhythm and blues song "For Your Love". He also helped write another huge hit, "Let's Get It On", with the legendary Marvin Gaye.

About Ed Townsend

Ed Townsend was born in Fayetteville, Tennessee, in the United States. His family soon moved to Memphis. His father was a pastor at an African Methodist Episcopal church there.

After high school, Ed traveled around the world. He was part of the International American Methodist Episcopal Youth Council. Later, he went to college at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He studied law and taught for a year after graduating. Even though he didn't work as a lawyer, his legal knowledge helped other musicians. He often used it to help them with their music contracts.

In 1951, Ed joined the United States Marine Corps. He served his country during the Korean War. After leaving the Marines, he started recording songs. In 1958, he brought his song "For Your Love" to Capitol Records. He hoped that famous singer Nat "King" Cole would record it. But Capitol Records was so impressed with Ed's voice that they signed him to sing it himself!

This was a big moment for Ed. Dick Clark had just started his TV show American Bandstand. Ed Townsend was invited to sing on the show during its first month. He became famous very quickly. "For Your Love" became a big hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Later in 1958, another one of his songs, "When I Grow Too Old to Dream", also made it onto the charts.

Ed Townsend didn't have many more hit songs as a singer himself. But he became a very successful songwriter and producer. In 1962, he wrote "How Can I Forget?" for singer Jimmy Holiday. This song was later sung by Ben E. King. Ed also wrote and produced "The Love of My Man" for Theola Kilgore. He wrote other songs too, like "Tears Of Joy" and "Foolish Fool".

In the early 1970s, Ed Townsend worked with Marvin Gaye. Together, they wrote the famous song "Let's Get It On". They also produced the album with the same name.

Ed Townsend appeared on a PBS television special in 2000. It was called "Rock, Rhythm, and Doo Wop." He performed some of his classic songs.

Ed's son, David Townsend, was also a musician. He was part of the band Surface.

Ed Townsend was honored with a Purple Heart medal for his service in the Korean War. He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Ed Townsend released:

Hit Songs (Singles)

Here are some of the single songs Ed Townsend released:

Movies

Ed Townsend also helped write music for movies. He was a composer for:

• The Ultimate Thrill (1974)