Ed Townsend

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Ed Townsend was born in 1929. He was an African-American attorney, songwriter and producer, and was best known for the performances of his composition, "For Your Love" which a rhythm and blues doo wop classic and as the co-writer of Let's Get It On with Marvin Gaye.

Although he was born in Fayetteville, Tennessee, 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.

When he completed his stint with the IAMEYC, he began college at Arkansas State College.

After graduating, he taught for a year. Interestingly, 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 Marines and served in Korea. After his discharge, he recorded a number of singles for various labels. None 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, Capital signed him to record it instead.

The single made the US Top 20. Townsend had no further vocal hits of his own. However, in 1962 he wrote a tune for Ben E. King, "How Can I Forget?" 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."

For a long time, Townsend was addicted to both drugs and alcohol, but was finally able to dry out.

One of his most memorable performances was on the "Doo Wop Gold" television series that featured many doo wop legends as they performed at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 16 and 17, 2000. Sale of the DVDs was a fund raiser for PBS stations nationwide. It was by far the most successful of this type of fund raiser ever.

Ed Townsend was married twice, had two sons and one daughter. He died on August 13, 2003 in San Bernardino, California at the age of 74.

Reference: ASCAP Biographical Dictionary R. R. Bowker Co., Copyright 1980 ISBN 0-8351-1283-1

Filmography

Soundtrack

Crank (2006) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Last Holiday (2006) ("Let's Get It On")

After the Sunset (2004) (writer: "Boombastic (Sting/Shaggy Remix)")

Mr. 3000 (2004) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Something's Gotta Give (2003) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

The Real Cancun (2003) (writer: "Boombastic") "Scrubs" (1 episode, 2003)

My Interpretation (2003) TV Episode (writer: "Let's Get It On")

The Parole Officer (2001) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

High Fidelity (2000) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Three to Tango (1999) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) (writer: "Let's Get It On") ... aka Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me (USA: video title)

A Walk on the Moon (1999) (writer: "For Your Love") ... aka Tentación, La (USA: Spanish title)

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998) (writer: "Lets Get It On")

Simon Birch (1998) (writer: "For Your Love") ... aka Angels and Armadillos

Nine Months (1995) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Jailbreakers (1994) (TV) (writer: "For Your Love") (performer: "For Your Love")

Into the Night (1985/I) (writer: "Let's Get It On")

Composer

Black Fist (1975) ... aka Bogard ... aka Fist ... aka Homeboy ... aka The Black Streetfighter

The Ultimate Thrill (1974) ... aka The Ultimate Chase