John Townley

John Townley is a legendary American sound engineer & recording artist.   Townley was the founder & creator of New York’s Apostolic Studios, situated at Tenth Street, New York City. The studio was a popular hangout for Frank Zappa and those associated with him.  With tech work from Lou Lindauer, a ‘bumped-up’ 12-track (12 being the ‘magic’ figure which inspired the Apostolic name) and skills of engineer Tony Bongiovi (uncle of Jon Bonjovi) the studio finally broke the mold on straight-jacketed recording facilities. Similar studios, like Record Plant and Electric Lady, soon followed.

Townley continues to work at the studio.  From 1965-1966 Townley was a guitarist in the Magicians, who are featured on the garage rock compilation Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968.  Townley performs and releases maritime music as a solo performer, and is a professional astrologer who has published eight books on the subject.  He was a member of X‑Seamen’s Institute.  He assembled a pickup band called John Townley And The Press Gang for the recording A Chesapeake Sailor’s Companion.

He is widowed to Gilly Townley.