Thriller songwriter Rod Temperton dies

Rod Temperton, the British songwriter best known for Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Rock With You, has died.

In a statement, Jon Platt, chairman of music publisher Warner/Chappell, said Temperton died in London last week at the age of 66 following “a brief aggressive battle with cancer”.

His other songs included Off The Wall, Give Me The Night, Sweet Freedom, Always & Forever and Boogie Nights.

“His family is devastated and request total privacy,” Mr Platt said.

Temperton, whose private funeral has taken place, was nicknamed The Invisible Man because of his low profile.

He first found success as a member of disco band Heatwave, for whom he wrote Always & Forever and Boogie Nights, which were hits in the late 1970s.

He also worked closely with Michael Jackson’s producer Quincy Jones, leading him to write songs for Jackson’s breakthrough solo album Off The Wall and best-selling follow-up Thriller.

Many artists including The Estate of Michael Jackson made a statement via social media:

“The Estate of Michael Jackson is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Temperton. His legacy lives on through his songs, including those recorded by Michael. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in their time of loss.”
The Estate of Michael Jackson

“I got to work with Rod for just a few short months, but he influenced everything piece of music I wrote and produced since then. We had many an early morning drive home from the studio (he never drove) where he would expound on the topics of formula one racing, consuming frozen pizza, smoking Marlboro’s, and of course music. Not just a great songwriter, but also a great person. You will be missed..”
Rob Hoffman

“There are simply no words to express how heavy my heart is at the news of the passing of my friend, brother and colleague Rod Temperton. It all starts with the song, and Rod was one of my go to songwriters. He was one of the best, period. Not just for Michael, but for James Ingram, Patti Austin, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, and a host of others. His creativity just never stopped. He had an excellent compositional instinct and wrote great music because he had absorbed it to such an extent that it just came straight out of him as if it were second nature. He wrote three songs for Thriller…”Baby Be Mine,” “The Lady in My Life” and “Thriller”; and wrote the Vincent Price intro to “Thriller” in the car on the way from the airport to the studio. To say his talent was insane is an understatement. He was the best friend and brother you could ever work with, and I will forever treasure our friendship and all those decades together in the studio.”
Quincy Jones

“God Speed Rod !! May you continue to enjoy F1 and write new songs in heaven…… Very sad.”
Michael Prince

“Still processing the death of dear friend Rod Temperton, produced my 1st solo album, my co-writer on Quincy’s “Secret Garden”. I’m truly gutted. Our “Groove of Midnight” still special. RIP”
Siedah Garrett

SOURCE: BBC / The Estate of Michael Jackson / Facebook / Twitter