b. Rodney Lynn Temperton, 9th October 1949, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England.
d. (reported) 5th October 2016, United Kingdom.
Rod Temperton was born and grew up in Cleethorpes in the U.K.
During his early years Rod attended the De Aston School in Market Rasen.
Early employment included a period working at the Ross Foods frozen fish factory in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
In 1972 Rod and a called guitarist Bernd Springer formed a Soul band called Sundown Carousel in Germany.
This British songwriter began his career as keyboard player with Heatwave (following replying to an advert in the Melody Maker magazine, placed by Johnnie Wilder Jnr.) also writing their hits including 'Boogie Nights', 'The Groove Line' and 'Always & Forever'.
Prior to being part of Heatwave, Rod was also part of a group called The Hammer, who featured the singer John David Parker amongst others.
In 1978 Rod decided to concentrate on songwriting and left Heatwave, continuing on as a writer for the group.
His songwriting skills were soon noticed by Quincy Jones who hired him to write songs for an album he was producing for Michael Jackson.
Rod ended up writing 'Rock With You', 'Baby Be Mine', 'The Lady In My Life' and the title track of Michael's 'Off The Wall' album in 1979, together with the title song 'Thriller' of his follow-up.
quincy jones, rod temperton and bruce swedien
Also through Quincy Jones he wrote for the additional following singers / bands:
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'.
Tamia / Mica Paris 'You Put A Move On My Heart'.
Herbie Hancock 'Lite Me Up', 'Getting To The Good Part'.
Aretha Franklin 'Livin' In The Streets'.
Jeffrey Osborne 'We Belong To Love' (which Rod also produced).
Bob James 'Sign Of The Times' and 'The Steamin' Feelin'.
Manhattan Transfer 'Mystery', 'The Spice Of Life'.
Angie Stone 'Lover's Ghetto'
Mariah Carey 'I'm That Chick'
George Benson 'Give Me The Night' LP & 'Family Reunion' album 2009.
Second Image 'Lights Out'.
James Ingram 'It's Your Night' LP.
Anita Baker 'Mystery'.
Patti Austin 'Every Home Should Have One' LP.
Klymaxx 'Man-Size Love'
Michael McDonald 'Sweet Freedom'.
C & C Music Factory 'Share That Beat Of Love'
Stephanle Mills 'Time Of Your Life' and 'Hold On To Midnight'.
Rod also wrote several songs on a 1979 solo album for Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters entitled 'Karen Carpenter'.
The album was eventually released in 1996 and contained Rod's composition 'Lovelines'.
By the early 1980's he left his home in Germany and relocated to Beverly Hills in California.
Today he lives in Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles and also has homes in the South of France, Switzerland, Fiji, and in Kent.
Apparently, Rod believed that his smoking habit kept the 'flu' away!
rod & kathy temperton
Rod sadly passed away in 2016.
