Cyrus Langhorne
Music veteran Rod Temperton has passed away at the age of 66. The famous Michael Jackson “Thriller” songwriter lost a battle with cancer.
According to reports, Temperton died last week in the United Kingdom.
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell, announced the sad news today, saying in a statement: “Rod Temperton, British Composer and Musician, died last week at the age of 66 in London following a brief aggressive battle with cancer.” He added: “His funeral was private. He was often referred to as The Invisible Man. (The Mirror)
The news caught R&B singer The Weeknd‘s attention on social media.
R.I.P to the legend Rod Temperton
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) October 5, 2016
#RodTemperton #RIP Your genius gave us a funkier world! Here's @RodTemperton @QuincyDJones @nilerodgers sharing rock 'n roll war stories. pic.twitter.com/nBnGhqYStf
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 5, 2016
Temperton is most known for his work with the late Michael Jackson.
He wrote songs for Off The Wall, the critically acclaimed album from 1979, and later for Thriller, including the title track and its title. “I… wrote two or three hundred titles and came up with Midnight Man. I woke up the next morning and I said this word, Thriller,” he once said. (Sky News)
The songwriter has also worked with other high-profile music stars.
His tunes have also been recorded by artists including Anita Baker, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin and The Brothers Johnson. Temperton won a Grammy Award in 1990 for his work on Birdland, from Quincy Jones’s album Back on the Block. He was nominated for two Oscars in 1986 for his work with Jones on the soundtrack for The Color Purple. (BBC)
