Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

October 9, 1949 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England

Death

:

September 25, 2016 in London, England

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Rodney Lynn Temperton was a British songwriter, composer, and record producer who was born on October 9, 1949, in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of a factory worker and a housewife, and he grew up in a working-class family. Temperton showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. He was a self-taught musician who learned to play by ear and by listening to records. Temperton's musical career began in the 1970s when he joined the funk band Heatwave as a keyboardist and songwriter. He wrote many of the band's hit songs, including "Boogie Nights," "Always and Forever," and "The Groove Line." These songs helped Heatwave become one of the most successful funk bands of the era, and they earned Temperton a reputation as a talented songwriter. In the early 1980s, Temperton began to focus on composing music for films and television. He wrote the score for the 1984 film "The Color Purple," which was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. The score earned Temperton an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score, and it helped establish him as a composer of film music. Temperton's most famous work, however, was his collaboration with Michael Jackson on the album "Thriller." Temperton wrote three of the album's songs, including the title track, "Thriller," which became one of the biggest hits of all time. He also wrote "The Lady in My Life" and "Baby Be Mine," which were both successful singles. Temperton's contributions to "Thriller" helped make it the best-selling album of all time, with over 66 million copies sold worldwide. In addition to his work with Heatwave and Michael Jackson, Temperton wrote songs for many other artists, including Donna Summer, Quincy Jones, and George Benson. He also continued to compose music for films and television, including the scores for "Running Scared" (1986) and "The Hitman" (1991). Temperton was known for his ability to write catchy melodies and his use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments. He was also known for his attention to detail and his willingness to work long hours to perfect his compositions. His music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including funk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Temperton was a private person who rarely gave interviews or made public appearances. He lived in Switzerland for many years and was known for his love of skiing and other outdoor activities. He died on September 5, 2016, at the age of 66, after a battle with cancer. In conclusion, Rod Temperton was a talented composer and songwriter who made significant contributions to the world of music. His work with Heatwave, Michael Jackson, and other artists helped shape the sound of popular music in the 1970s and 1980s. His compositions were known for their catchy melodies, electronic instrumentation, and attention to detail. Although he was a private person, his music will continue to be enjoyed by generations of fans.

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