‘It Started as a Joke’: ‘Smoke From a Distant Fire’ by the Sanford-Townsend Band

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By 1976, keyboardists Ed Sanford and Johnny Townsend had reunited in Los Angeles after working together in a short-lived band called Heart (not to be confused with Ann and Nancy Wilson’s band). Essentially a songwriting duo, they signed a publishing deal with Chappell Music and had some success, writing “Peacemaker” for Loggins and Messina.