BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY "David Townsend, Member of Soul Trio SURFACE Found Dead" "Corny, But Wholesome - Commentary by Joseph C. Phillips"
David Townsend from the 80's soft soul vocal trio SURFACE known for such lush ballads as "Happy", "Closer Than Friends", "Shower Me With Your Love" and the "The First Time" was found dead inside his Northridge, CA home Wednesday night (October 26) by a close friend. The cause of death was unknown. Townsend was 50.
SURFACE member vocalist/writer/producer DAVID TOWNSEND, was the son of the late legendary singer/songwriter/producer Ed Townsend. Ed Townsend was responsible for co-writing "Let's Get It On" by the late great Marvin Gaye and who had his own solo hit "For Your Love" back in 1958 . David Townsend followed his father's footsteps and wrote, produced, and performed with numerous artists over the past three decades. These artists included The Isley Brothers, Sister Sledge, New Edition, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and the legendary Aretha Franklin.
SURFACE'S Management (RDMJ Entertainment Management spokesman Randy Lopez) released a statement early this morning. "We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of David Townsend. He was one of the most down to earth and nicest person. He was such a great producer and a major talent. We will miss him."
Bernard Jackson and David "Pic" Conley of the group SURFACE released a statement today, "We are both shocked and very saddened by our loss of our close friend David. He was a great producer, songwriter and a great friend. We will miss him. We also want to say thank you to all our fans around the world for their love and support during this difficult time."
The dynamic million-selling group SURFACE has charted numerous times on the Billboard Magazine Pop and R/B charts over the past two decades.
In 1987, the group's self-entitled album peaked at #11 on the Billboard R/B Album chart which also spawned two top ten R/B singles, "Happy" and "Lately" and a top 25 R/B single "Let's Try Again".
The group's follow-up sophomore album "2nd Wave" which was released in 1989 was an instant smash and was certified platinum. The album peaked on the top of the R/B album charts at #5. The album released five singles, three of which went #1 on the R/B charts "You Are My Everything" featuring guest vocalist Regina Belle, "Closer Than Friends" and "Shower Me With Your Love". The latter song was certified gold and was a crossover hit on the Billboard Pop 100 singles chart peaking in at #5 and the Adult Contemporary chart at #3. The singles "Can We Spend Some Time Together" and the up-tempo dance floor cut "I Missed" were top 5 R/B hits.
In 1991, the group's third album "3 Deep" was released and was yet another success for the group. The first single from the album was titled "The First Time" which was certified gold and went #1 on the Billboard R/B, Pop and Adult Contemporary singles charts. The hits continued with "All I Want Is You" (peaked at #8 R/B) and "Never Gonna Let You Down" (peaked at #17 on the R/B and Adult Contemporary singles charts). The next single from the album "You're the One" reached # 24 on the R/B singles chart.
Due to the group's huge success and releasing numerous hits, the group's record company decided to release a greatest hit's package "A Nice Time For Lovin - The Best of Surface" which later spawned the single of the same name.
The group SURFACE was currently in the recording studio laying tracks for their new upcoming release due later next year. SURFACE is scheduled to perform at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on December 29 and 30th, 2005.
SURFACE member vocalist/writer/producer DAVID TOWNSEND, was the son of the late legendary singer/songwriter/producer Ed Townsend. Ed Townsend was responsible for co-writing "Let's Get It On" by the late great Marvin Gaye and who had his own solo hit "For Your Love" back in 1958 . David Townsend followed his father's footsteps and wrote, produced, and performed with numerous artists over the past three decades. These artists included The Isley Brothers, Sister Sledge, New Edition, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and the legendary Aretha Franklin.
SURFACE'S Management (RDMJ Entertainment Management spokesman Randy Lopez) released a statement early this morning. "We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of David Townsend. He was one of the most down to earth and nicest person. He was such a great producer and a major talent. We will miss him."
Bernard Jackson and David "Pic" Conley of the group SURFACE released a statement today, "We are both shocked and very saddened by our loss of our close friend David. He was a great producer, songwriter and a great friend. We will miss him. We also want to say thank you to all our fans around the world for their love and support during this difficult time."
The dynamic million-selling group SURFACE has charted numerous times on the Billboard Magazine Pop and R/B charts over the past two decades.
In 1987, the group's self-entitled album peaked at #11 on the Billboard R/B Album chart which also spawned two top ten R/B singles, "Happy" and "Lately" and a top 25 R/B single "Let's Try Again".
The group's follow-up sophomore album "2nd Wave" which was released in 1989 was an instant smash and was certified platinum. The album peaked on the top of the R/B album charts at #5. The album released five singles, three of which went #1 on the R/B charts "You Are My Everything" featuring guest vocalist Regina Belle, "Closer Than Friends" and "Shower Me With Your Love". The latter song was certified gold and was a crossover hit on the Billboard Pop 100 singles chart peaking in at #5 and the Adult Contemporary chart at #3. The singles "Can We Spend Some Time Together" and the up-tempo dance floor cut "I Missed" were top 5 R/B hits.
In 1991, the group's third album "3 Deep" was released and was yet another success for the group. The first single from the album was titled "The First Time" which was certified gold and went #1 on the Billboard R/B, Pop and Adult Contemporary singles charts. The hits continued with "All I Want Is You" (peaked at #8 R/B) and "Never Gonna Let You Down" (peaked at #17 on the R/B and Adult Contemporary singles charts). The next single from the album "You're the One" reached # 24 on the R/B singles chart.
Due to the group's huge success and releasing numerous hits, the group's record company decided to release a greatest hit's package "A Nice Time For Lovin - The Best of Surface" which later spawned the single of the same name.
The group SURFACE was currently in the recording studio laying tracks for their new upcoming release due later next year. SURFACE is scheduled to perform at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on December 29 and 30th, 2005.
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