Sanford-Townsend Band

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The Sanford-Townsend Band were a rock & roll one-hit wonder in the United States, who scored a hit single in 1977 with "Smoke from a Distant Fire".

They were a "blue-eyed soul" band featuring Ed Sanford and John Townsend, who previously worked together in a band called the Heart in Montgomery, Alabama. After reuniting in Los Angeles, Sanford and Townsend began writing songs, most notably "Peacemaker" for Loggins and Messina.

Their 1976 self-titled record did not sell well, until "Smoke from a Distant Fire" reached the pop charts. The album was re-released using the song title as its own. The band supported the song by opening for Fleetwood Mac on their Rumours tour, as well as gigs with the Marshall Tucker Band.

The band's followup albums, entitled Duo-Glide and Nail Me to the Wall were unfortunately unsuccessful. Sanford and Townsend returned to their careers as session musicians and songwriters.

[edit] References

AllMusic site