Without Rod, Quincy Jones would not have the run that he had back in the early 80's. There would be no "THRILLER" This man should be listed as one of the best songwriters around. This homely looking british white dude wrote some of the best R&B tracks that are still beling played and covered today! Go check your Q produced recordings and see who the main writer is.

"Star Of A Story" - Heatwave and George Benson
"Something Special - Sung by Patti Austin (another appreciation thread) from The Dude.
"All the tracks from Rufus/Chaka Khan "Master Jam"
are some my my favs!

Unfortunatly he wrote the one song I NEVER want to hear again....
"Always and Forever"

YOU GO ROD!

Biography by John Bush
Leader of the disco-fusion band Heatwave and an important producer/arranger/keyboardist for years afterward, Rod Temperton wrote hits, including "Always and Forever," "Boogie Nights," "Baby Come to Me," "Groove Line," and "The Lady in My Life." As part of Quincy Jones' studio masters, he wrote the title song from Michael Jackson's Thriller. His chart career began in the mid-'70s when Keith and Johnny Wilder recruited him to collaborate on Too Hot to Handle, their 1976 debut album as Heatwave. Two hits, "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever," stormed the R&B charts. Even while he continued in Heatwave during the late '70s and early '80s, Temperton worked on many outside projects (the Brothers Johnson, Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, Rufus & Chaka Khan) often overseen by Jones. For Jackson's solo breakout on 1979's Off the Wall, he wrote two songs ("Rock With You" and the title song) and worked on the arrangements. Three years later, Temperton wrote "Baby Be Mine," "Lady in My Life," and the title song for the 1982 commercial blockbuster Thriller. He also appeared on many of Jones' solo albums: Back on the Block, Q's Jook Joint, and From Q With Love.

more:
Rod Temperton
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Rod Temperton is a British musician and one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Born in Cleethorpes in 1949, he attended the De Aston School in Market Rasen. He was one of the original members of the popular funk/disco band, Heatwave. With the band, he helped compose some of the group's big-selling singles including Boogie Nights, Groove Line and the memorable ballad, Always & Forever.

In 1979, he teamed up with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson to help conceive what became Jackson's first solo album in four years and his first full-fledged solo release for Epic Records, titled Off The Wall. In 1982, Temperton wrote three songs, including the title track, for Jackson's next LP, Thriller, which became the biggest-selling album of all time.


[edit] Writing Credits
Temperton wrote for the following singers/bands (also through Quincy Jones):

Rufus: 'Masterjam' LP.
The Brothers Johnson: 'Treasure' on the 'Stomp' LP.
Donna Summer: 'Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)', 'Livin' In America' and 'Love Is Just A Breath Away'.
Quincy Jones: 'The Dude', 'Razzamatazz', 'Somethin' Special', 'Turn On The Action', 'The Secret Garden' and 'Back On The ***Block' and 'Q's Jook Joint'.
Herbie Hancock: 'Lite Me Up', 'Getting To The Good Part'.
Aretha Franklin: 'Livin' In The Streets'.
Jeffrey Osborne: 'We Belong To Love' (which Temperton also produced).
Bob James: 'Sign Of The Times' and 'The Steamin' Feelin'.
The Manhattan Transfer: 'Mystery', 'The Spice Of Life'.
George Benson: 'Give Me The Night' LP.
James Ingram: 'It's Your Night' LP.
Anita Baker: 'Mystery'.
Patti Austin: 'Every Home Should Have One' LP.
Michael McDonald: 'Sweet Freedom'.
Stephanie Mills: 'Time Of Your Life' and 'Hold On To Midnight'.
Michael Jackson: 'Rock With You', 'Off The Wall', 'The Lady In My Life', 'Burn This Disco Out', 'Thriller' and 'Baby Be Mine'.
Karen Carpenter: 'Lovelines' and 'If We Try'

This is a reason i hate division in music regarding race. These are great tracks, highly influential. Two races working together, making great music. It aint black music, it aint white music, Its music.

Didnt he do some Rose Royce tracks too?

Rod temperton the man, quincy too. A sure fire combo

...

Ndeed!! Rod's always been one of my favorite writers!!!







...

*appreciates

is he still writing?

sosgemini said:

I haven't seen anything from him recently. The last thing I remember he did was on Quincy Jones' Q's Jook Joint cd. He wrote "SLow Jams" on that cd.

He wrote some of Michael Jacksons best material! Burn This Disco Out from Off The Wall being my favourite.

Wow, great call. Rod Temperton is a GREAT songwriter. Thanks for bringing him to attention!

sosgemini said:

Isn't he deceased?

Thumparello said:

As far as I know,he is still alive.A few years ago,I heard that he is writing songs for Quincy Jones next album,which has been delayed repeatedly.

interesting trivia:

I heard that the song "Mystery" (which Rod Temperton wrote) was originally offered to Michael Jackson during the 'Thriller' sessions.MJ passed on it and it went to Manhattan Transfer instead.In 1986,Anita Baker recorded it for her 'Rapture' album.

I think the last thing he wrote was Tamia's "You Put A Move On My Heart".

Never heard of him.

SoulAlive said:

I heard that MJ recorded a demo version of it.

Harlepolis said:

yeah,he probably did.Would be interesting to hear.

Cloudbuster said:

Thriller's composer.

Harlepolis said:

I was removing the urine.

Cloudy knows who Rod Temperton is

anyone else catch his interview on bbc radio last year?

very informative,

he told how he managed to grab vincent price for the thriller song, and how he worked with MJ,

He is a genius, wrote some of the best songs ever

maybe MJ should go back and get some more new songs from him

Well hot damn,,,,excuuuuuse me

This guy has gotta be PAID.

"Unfortuunately he wrote the one song I NEVER want to hear again "Always and Forever"


I agree! This has got to be the most OVER-PLAYED R&B song in history!! I used to love this song to death,but they play it sooooo much that I never want to hear it again!!!!