It was a love of jazz that drew Rob Townsend into music back in the early 1960s in his native Leicester.  But Rob's career took an altogether dramatic turn when he met up with Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney.  Family were one of Britain's most creative and original bands, taking the basic blues format down new avenues of almost operatic invention, with an instrumental line-up which included flute and violin – unheard of in those early guitar, bass & drums days.

After seven great albums and four hit singles, Family broke up and Rob joined the duo Medicine Head, with whom he enjoyed more chart success. Upon their demise, he decided to become freelance and was soon back in the top ten with piano-playing balladeer Peter Skellern. More sessions and hits with various artistes followed, but he still managed to go back on the road again and did British tours with legendary guitarist Duane Eddy and bluesman Memphis Slim. Eventually, in January 1982, he was invited to join The Blues Band and has been there ever since, as well as playing drums along side Paul and Tom in The Manfreds.