Rod Temperton, 'Thriller' Songwriter, Dead at 66

Rod Temperton, the songwriter behind Michael Jackson's hit singles "Thriller," "Rock With You" and "Off the Wall," died last week in London following a brief battle with cancer. He was 66.

Rod Temperton, British Composer and Musician, died last week at the age of 66 in London following a brief aggressive battle with cancer," Warner/Chappell CEO Jon Platt wrote in a statement (via BBC News).

"His funeral was private," Platt added. "He was often referred to as 'The Invisible Man.' He was the sole writer of multiple successful songs such as 'Thriller,' 'Off The Wall,' 'Rock With You,' [George Benson's] 'Give Me The Night,' [Michael McDonald's] 'Sweet Freedom,' [Heatwave's] 'Always & Forever' and 'Boogie Nights' to name just a few. His family is devastated and request total privacy at this, the saddest of sad times."

Before linking up with the King of Pop, Temperton first served as keyboardist and primary songwriter for the disco-funk outfit Heatwave, including that group's smash singles "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever." After two albums as a performer with Heatwave – 1976's Too Hot to Handle and 1978's Central Heating – Temperton segued into a full-time songwriter role.

In 1979, Quincy Jones sought out Temperton as the producer began work on what would become Michael Jackson's first solo album in four years, Off the Wall. For the LP, Temperton contributed three tracks: "Off the Wall," "Rock With You" and the closer "Burn This Disco Out."

-Read more at Rolling Stone