Edward Benjamin 'Ed' Townsend (April 16, 1929 – August 13, 2003) was a prominent American singer, songwriter, record producer, and attorney. Born in Fayetteville, Tennessee, Townsend's family moved to Memphis, where his father served as a pastor. His early exposure to music came from the church, which had one of the few pianos available to him. After high school, he was elected to the International American Methodist Episcopal Youth Council, which allowed him to travel internationally before attending Arkansas State College.

Townsend served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, where he often performed at military concerts. After his discharge, he pursued a career in music, initially struggling to find commercial success. His breakthrough came in 1958 with the ballad "For Your Love," which he recorded for Capitol Records. The song became a hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite this success, Townsend did not have further hits as a vocalist. He transitioned to songwriting and producing, penning songs for artists like Jimmy Holiday and Theola Kilgore. His most notable collaboration was with Marvin Gaye, co-writing and co-producing the iconic song "Let's Get It On" in the early 1970s.

Throughout his career, Townsend used his legal training to assist other artists in negotiating contracts, although he never formally practiced law. He also faced personal challenges, including struggles with addiction, which he addressed through his songwriting.

Townsend was married twice and had three children, including David Townsend, a member of the band Surface. He passed away in San Bernardino, California, and was honored with a burial at Riverside National Cemetery. His contributions to music, especially in the rhythm and blues and soul genres, remain influential.