Rod Temperton Dies of Cancer at 66 Kevin Fleming October 6, 2016 Entertainment, Music News Rod Temperton, a British-born musician and songwriter who wrote the Michael Jackson classic “Thriller,” “Rock With You” and many other hits, has died of cancer in London at 66. His music publisher said in a statement Wednesday that Temperton died last week of an “aggressive” cancer. No other details were provided. Jon Platt of Warner/Chappell said Temperton was the sole writer of “Thriller,” “Off the Wall,” “Rock With You” and other major songs. Temperton started his career in the R&B band Heatwave and collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker and many others. He was best known as a songwriter and worked closely with producer Quincy Jones on groundbreaking tracks for Jackson’s mega-selling “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” albums. Related
