Rod Temperton
Known For
- Born
- 9 October 1949 · Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England
- Died
- 5 October 2016 · London, England
- Nationality
- British
- Active
- 1974–2016
- Awards
- 2 wins Read more
Rodney Lynn Temperton (October 9, 1949 – October 5, 2016) was an English songwriter, record producer and musician. Originally the keyboardist for the British funk band Heatwave (“Boogie Nights”, “Always and Forever”), he became one of the most successful songwriters of the 1980s by writing for Michael Jackson, including the title tracks of Off the Wall and Thriller, plus “Rock with You”, “Burn This Disco Out”, “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady in My Life”. He was famously private and reclusive throughout his career.
| Year | Song | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Burn This Disco Out | Off The Wall | Songwriter |
| 1979 | Off the Wall | Off The Wall | Songwriter |
| 1979 | Rock with You | Off The Wall | Songwriter |
| 1982 | Baby Be Mine | Thriller | Songwriter |
| 1982 | Baby Be Mine | Thriller | Rhythm And Vocal Arrangements |
| 1982 | The Lady in My Life | Thriller | Songwriter |
| 1982 | Thriller | Thriller | Songwriter |
| 1982 | Thriller | Thriller | Synthesizer / Arrangements |
| 2022 | Beat It (Demo) | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
| 2022 | Got the Hots (Demo) | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
| 2022 | Starlight | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
| 2022 | Thriller (7″ Special Edit) | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
| 2022 | Thriller (Def Thriller Mix) | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
| 2022 | Thriller Megamix | Thriller 40 | Songwriter |
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★Won 2007Ivor Novello AwardsOutstanding Song Collection
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★Won 1984BMI AwardsSongwriter of the Year
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Quincy Jones 12 shared songs -
Michael Jackson 12 shared songs -
Greg Phillinganes 6 shared songs -
Bruce Swedien 6 shared songs -
Louis Johnson 4 shared songs -
D
David Williams 4 shared songs
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G
Gary Grant 4 shared songs
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Jerry Hey 4 shared songs -
L
Larry Williams 4 shared songs
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Michael Boddicker 4 shared songs -
Vincent Price 4 shared songs -
J
John Robinson 3 shared songs
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M
Marlo Henderson 3 shared songs
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B
Bill Reichenbach Jr. 3 shared songs
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K
Kim Hutchcroft 3 shared songs
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Paulinho da Costa 2 shared songs -
David Paich 2 shared songs -
Steve Porcaro 2 shared songs -
B
Bobby Watson 1 shared song
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N
Ndugu Chancler 1 shared song
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B
Bill Reichenbach 1 shared song
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Paul Jackson Jr. 1 shared song -
B
Bill Wolfer 1 shared song
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B
Brian Banks 1 shared song
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B
Bruce Cannon 1 shared song
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Anthony Marinelli 1 shared song
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Wrote both the title track and "Rock with You" on Off the Wall (1979) — his first MJ collaboration.
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Wrote four songs on Thriller including the title track. He also coined the name "Thriller" for the album, replacing the working title "Starlight".
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Famously reclusive — gave fewer than five interviews in his entire career.
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Started out as keyboardist for British funk band Heatwave before being recruited by Quincy Jones.
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Also wrote "Yah Mo B There" (James Ingram & Michael McDonald), "Sweet Freedom" (Michael McDonald), and Donna Summer's "Love is in Control".