Bernard Jackson grew up in Stamford, CT and got into the music business through his cousin who lived in New York. Jackson moved to New York also and began performing around the city. While he did a show in Stamford, his godfather suggested that he should contact his nephew David Townsend, who was also in the music business. Townsend was a former touring guitarist for The Isley Brothers. Around 1973, Townsend had joined a band called The Port Authority where he had met David Conley. Townsend began writing songs with Conley. After Townsend and Conley met Jackson, they decided that they'd write songs together. Their first success came with "Falling in love" for the Salsoul label. The track was co-written by David Conley. Later, the trio became staff writers for EMI Music, changed their name into Surface and moved to Los Angeles. An EMI Music executive brought one of their songs, "Let's try again" to the attention of Larkin Arnold of Columbia Records. He then signed the group to Columbia. The debut album Surface included the smooth and sweet "Happy". The next album was called "2nd Wave" and contained "I missed". In 1986, Jackson brought the sheet music to a song he had written to his friend, songwriter Brian Simpson, who had a recording studio in his garage. After listening to the finished demo tape, Jackson thought that he had a hit. He hired a mobile 24-track recording studio truck to capture his vocal in the best professional conditions. Jackson sang "The first time" in Simpson's house. The song would be the first release from Surface's third album, "3 Deep". It went to no. 1 in early 1991 and while the single was topping the charts, Surface were also one of the presenters at the American Music Awards. The band's last charting single was "A nice time for loving" in early 1992. The track had prviously been included on their 1991 greatest hits album, "The best of Surface: A nice time for loving". Conley and Townsend also produced sides on Rebbie Jackson.

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D i s c o g r a p h y

Falling in love	1983	Ramshorn
When your x wants you back	1984	Salsoul
Surface	1986	Columbia
Happy	1987	CBS
2nd wave	1988	Columbia
3deep	1990	Columbia