Songwriter and producer Rod Temperton, best known for writing ‘Thriller’ for Michael Jackson, has died in London at age 68.
Temperton composed a horde of songs for Jackson including ‘Rock With You’, ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Burn This Disco Out’, ‘Baby Be Mine’ and ‘Lady In My Life’ as well as ‘Someone In The Dark’ from the ‘E.T. The Extra Terrestrial’ soundtrack and
Hot Street’, an outtake from Thriller.
His songs for others include ‘Stomp’ for Brothers Johnson, ‘Love X Love’ and ‘Give Me The Night’ for George Benson and ‘Love Is In Control’ for Donna Summer as well as songs from Mariah Carey, Karen Carpenter, Patti Austin, Rufus, Herbie Hancock, The Manhattan Transfer, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J and Aretha Franklin.
Temperton started out as the keyboard player in UK funk band Heatwave in 1975. That band had a global hit with ‘Boogie Nights’.
The success of Heatwave and the sound of ‘Boogie Nights’ caught the ear of Quincy Jones who wanted to create that sound for Michael Jackson. Temperton was recruited as a songwriter and gave Jones and Jackson ‘Rock With You’, Jackson’s first number one, ‘Off The Wall’, which became the title track of the album and ‘Burn This Disco Down’, the albums closing track.
‘Off The Wall’ has now sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
‘Thriller’ went on to become the biggest-selling album of all time. Temperton contributed the title track, ‘Baby Be Mine’ and ‘The Lady In My Life’.
Rod Temperton died after a battle with cancer.
My dear Rod, #RIP you will be missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to your family. "Always and Forever," Nile Rodgers https://t.co/DlwjXk8C32
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 5, 2016
Today we lost a friend in Rod Temperton. We'll pay tribute this week-end the best way we know how. Always & Forever 'Worms'!
— The Jacksons (@Jacksons) October 5, 2016
RIP Rod Temperton. Such an incredible songwriter.
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) October 5, 2016
RIP The great songwriter Rod Temperton RS
— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) October 5, 2016
Rod Temperton is forever part of the soundtrack of our lives. Much Respect and Gratitude.
— Sam Sparro (@samsparro) October 5, 2016
