Sanford & Townsend Band…
The Sanford-Townsend Band featured keyboardists Ed Sanford (from Montgomery, Alabama) and Johnny Townsend (from Tuscaloosa, Alabama), who previously worked together in a Tuscaloosa-based band called Heart (not to be confused with the band of the same name fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson from Seattle/Vancouver).
After reuniting in Los Angeles, Sanford and Townsend signed a publishing deal with Chappell Music and began writing songs, most notably “Peacemaker” for Loggins and Messina, which was co-written by Sanford and Townsend with Kenny Loggins.
Their 1976 self-titled album, recorded at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, started getting attention when “Smoke from a Distant Fire” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 9 in Cash Box, and No. 13 in Record World.
The album was retitled with the name of the hit song and re-released. The band supported the song by opening for Fleetwood Mac on their Rumours tour, as well as concerts with The Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Buffett, Foreigner, Heart and others.
The band’s follow-up albums, entitled Duo-Glide and Nail Me To The Wall, were significantly less successful. Sanford and Townsend returned to their careers as session musicians and songwriters.
Ed Sanford co-wrote “I Keep Forgettin'” with Michael McDonald, which appeared on McDonald’s debut solo album in 1982.
The band’s long-time bassist, Jerry Rightmer, died in 2007 at the age of 57 from cirrhosis of the liver, brought on by Hepatitis C. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Former lead guitarist Roger Johnson currently works with his wife in publishing. He had spent 25 years in the film industry as a video technician and editor subsequent to his time in the Sanford-Townsend Band.
In 2008, John Townsend formed the Toler/Townsend Band with Dan Toler. Townsend’s tenor voice remains substantially unchanged from thirty years prior.
Discography
Smoke From A Distant Fire/Nail Me To The Wall
Razor & Tie 2012
Tracks: Smoke from a Distant Fire, Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-Oo), Oriental Gate (No Chance of Changin' My Mind), Shake It to the Right, Squire James, Does It Have to Be You, Lou, Sunshine in My Heart Again, In for the Night, Rainbows Colored in Blue, Nail Me to the Wall, Gopher Broke, Every Day, Shady Grove, Jubilee, Just Another Lie, Just a Fool, Hour of Love & Tell Me How Love Survives.
Musicians on the Smoke From The Distant Fire/Nail Me To The Wall album: Ed Sandford, John Townsend and others.
Nail Me To The Wall
Warner Bros 1979
Tracks: Nail Me To The Wall, Gopher Broke, Every Day, Shady Grove, Jubilee, Just Another Lie, Just A Fool, Hour Of Love & Tell Me How Love Survives.
Musicians on the Nail Me To The Wall album: Ed Sandford, John Townsend and others.
Duo-Glide
Warner Bros 1977
Tracks: Paradise, Love Ain't It So, Cryin' Like A Child, Livin' Easy, Starbrite, Voodoo, Mississippi Sunshine, Eights And Aces, Sometimes When The Wind Blows & Eye Of My Storm.
Musicians on the Duo-Glide album: Ed Sandford, John Townsend, Fred Tackett, Otis Hale, Paul Barrere, Steve Cropper, Jerry McGhee, Bill Payne, Mike Utley, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird, David Hungate, Otis Hale, Milt Holland, Sam Clayton, Richard Torrance, Herb Pedersen, Dick Halligan & Jon Clarke.
Smoke From A Distant Fire
Warner Bros 1976
Tracks: Smoke From A Distant Fire, Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-oo), Oriental Gate (No Chance Of Changin' My Mind), Shake It To The Right, Squire James, Does It Have To Be You, Lou, Sunshine In My Heart Again, In For The Night, Rainbows Colored In Blue.
Musicians on the Smoke From A Distant Fire album: Ed Sandford, John Townsend, Otis Hale, Roger Johnson, Jerry Rightmer, Jim Varley, Barry Beckett, Tom Roady, Kenny Loggins, George Hawkins, Billy Townsend, Ted Wex & Jon Clarke.
Sandford & Townsend Band
Warner Bros 1976
Tracks: Smoke From A Distant Fire, Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-oo), Oriental Gate (No Chance Of Changin' My Mind), Shake It To The Right, Squire James, Does It Have To Be You, Lou, Sunshine In My Heart Again, In For The Night, Rainbows Colored In Blue.
Musicians on the Sandford & Townsend Band album: Ed Sandford, John Townsend, Otis Hale, Roger Johnson, Jerry Rightmer, Jim Varley, Barry Beckett, Tom Roady, Kenny Loggins, George Hawkins, Billy Townsend, Ted Wex & Jon Clarke.