David Townsend Dies

David Townsend of soul trio Surface, known for ballads such as “Happy” and “Closer Than Friends,” was found dead October 26th in his Northridge, Calif., home. The cause of death was unknown.

Townsend, 50, followed in the footsteps of his father, Ed Townsend, as a singer/ songwriter/producer. He worked with artists including The Isley Brothers, Sister Sledge, New Edition, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, and Aretha Franklin during his career.

Townsend, Bernard Jackson and David “Pic” Conley were in the process of recording Surface’s next album scheduled to drop next year.