British songwriter Rod Temperton is dead at age 66 from “aggressive cancer.” It was a brief illness apparently.
Temperton wrote Michael Jackson’s hits “Rock with You,” “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” as well as “The Lady in My Life.” He also wrote the huge Patti Austin-James Ingram song “Baby, Come to Me” and George Benson’s “Give Me the Night.”
Temperton also gave the group Heatwave their two big hits– “Always and Forever” and “Boogie Nights.”
He worked with Quincy Jones as a producer-writer, and wrote hits for D0nna Summer, the Brothers Johnson, Herbie Hancock, and Michael McDonald.
Condolences to his family. What a shame.
The original #CHICOrganization. Our very 1st our was w Rod Temperton's #RIP band #Heatwave. They were amazing!
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 5, 2016
Thank u 4 your superlative songwriting @RodTemperton. U will always Live in Me. Rest in power. https://t.co/uVcYuBzCcG
— Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) October 5, 2016
