David Conley (musician)

Conley was born on December 27, 1953 in Newark, New Jersey. Shortly after graduating high school, Conley purchased his first instrument, a flute, for $10 with the idea of selling it for double price. Conley took the flute home and instead started playing it. He learned how to play it by himself.

Conley began his professional career when he moved to Los Angeles with the group Port Authority of Music which included members David Townsend and Art McAllister in 1976. The group recorded an album produced by Ed Townsend, David Townsend's father. The group was signed to 20 Century Records but the album was never released. Conley left the group to join Mandrill in 1977. In 1978, he made his television debut with Mandrill performing on the show Soul Train hosted by Don Cornelius. Conley released only one album with Mandrill, New Worlds, in 1979. Conley left the group and after a short hiatus Townsend and Conley collaborated on the beginnings Surface. When Conley became the founder of the Multi-Platinum Soul/R&B group Surface in 1983 the original group consisted of Conley and Karen Copeland. Townsend collaborated by writing and producing. In that same year Surface released their debut single, "Falling in Love" performed by Copeland, which peaked at #84 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for four weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #67 on the U.K. Singles chart. In addition Surface recorded two more singles with her; "When Your Ex Wants You Back" and "Stop Holding Back". After Copeland left the group in 1984 Bernard Jackson and David Townsend replaced her by becoming the Surface we know today. More success came in 1985 when Conley became a staff writer for Screen Gems BMI. Shortly after in 1986 Surface landed a record deal with Columbia leading them to release their debut album in 1987. The album peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200 and #11 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. In 1989, Surface released their second album, 2nd Wave which peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The single "Shower Me With Your Love" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and became Surface's second #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in July 1989, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

• The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll – 3rd Edition