Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Rod Temperton
1950 - 2016
Rod Temperton
1950 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1950
DIED
2016
Rod Temperton Obituary
Jon Platt, the chairman of music publisher Warner/Chappell said Temperton died in London last week following “a brief aggressive battle with cancer.”
“His family is devastated and request total privacy at this, the saddest of sad times,” Platt added.
Click to get weekly celebrity death news delivered to your inbox.
Temperton was a legendary British pop songwriter whose credits included “Rock With You,” “Boogie Nights,” and “Off the Wall.”
Temperton began his career as the keyboardist and principal songwriter for the R&B and funk band Heatwave. Besides writing for Jackson, Temperton worked with Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, the Brothers Johnson, and Quincy Jones. It was Jones who had Temperton work with Michael Jackson.
“Thriller” was a smash hit and certified platinum with over 1 million units sold.
Temperton discussed the origin of the song in an article in The Telegraph in 2010.
“Quincy said to me, 'You managed to come up with a title for the last album, see what you can do for this album.' I said, 'Oh great,' so I went back to the hotel, wrote two or three hundred titles, and came up with the title 'Midnight Man.' The next morning, I woke up, and I just said this word. ... Something in my head just said, this is the title. You could visualize it on the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as 'Thriller.'”
Legendary musician and producer Nile Rogers paid tribute on Instagram:
“Rod Temperton RIP Your genius gave us a funkier world”!
Michael Jackson's sister LaToya wrote: "A brilliant prolific #songwriter Rod Temperton may you #RIP one of my favorite #songs Rock With You #Thriller #legend #Music #MichaelJackson"
62 Entries
Geoff Miller
July 20, 2017
Another huge loss to the music world. A great talent and a really nice guy.
November 13, 2016
My personal opinion music genius very under rated RIP !!!
Valenda Newell
November 3, 2016
ROD BROUGHT THE "FUNK" AND PUT IT ALL IN SONGWRITING, MIXED WITH GREAT SOUNDS HE WAS UNSTOPPABLE WITH HIT AFTER HIT. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS LOST A TALENT THAT'S IRREPLACEABLE.....RIH
Jay
November 1, 2016
Sad to see the passing of Rod. He wrote some great songs for Heatwave and others. Rest easy...
How you can show support
Raymond Whorton
October 19, 2016
Thank you for inspiring so many and yet staying so humble throughout the proces. We will miss you!
October 19, 2016
Please accept my deepest condolences. There is little that I personally can say or do to ease your pain and suffering. May knowing that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many bring a measure of comfort. We look forward to the time when all things that cause sickness and death will be eradicated by God's kingdom (Matt 6:9,10).
--DEE
October 13, 2016
Been a fan of Rod Temperton since his days with the band Heatwave. There are so many favorite songs, of mine, which he wrote for that band, Michael Jackson, etc. His talent will definitely be missed. Rest in Peace, Rod.
Felix Locklin
October 12, 2016
Thanks Rod for "Rock with you!" My favorite song of all time! Rip you genius....
Martin B
October 12, 2016
Thanks for the music. The legacy has been cemented R.I.P
October 12, 2016
May the God of comfort give you the strength you need to endure your loss.
Sincerely,
T Scott
October 11, 2016
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
Roberta Whitney
October 11, 2016
REST IN PEACE. SUCH A GREAT TALENT. SO GREAT THAT THE SONGS THAT HE WROTE WILL FOREVER LIVE ON. A GREAT PERSON/MAN.
Ron McNeal
October 11, 2016
He wrote my wife and I, our favorite song "Always and Forever" sung by Johnny Wilder when he played keyboard with the group Heat Wave.
Faith/Rory Tobin/Dockett
October 10, 2016
Dear Temperton Family Rory and I sincerely express our condolences's on the loss of Rod Temperton.he'll surely be missed.luv,Faith/Rory
Phyllis Spellman
October 10, 2016
RIP Legend!
Evans Family
October 10, 2016
Our thoughts are with the Temperton family.
May God Give you the needed strength to endure. during this very trying time.
Jon Kydd
October 9, 2016
Heatwave was one of the best bands during the 70's and 80's. Thanks Rod Temperton for your musical talents.
T C
October 9, 2016
My condolences to the Temperton family for the loss of Rod. May God's Word strengthen you during this time of mourning. (Isa. 41:10,13)
J B
October 9, 2016
What great music he has given us. You have my sympathy. Psalms 16:1
Von & Shirley
October 8, 2016
Thanks for the God given talents that you shared with us Rod! PEACE be with you and may God comfort your family always!
Scott Chamberland
October 8, 2016
Rest in Peace
October 8, 2016
My condolences to the family. May the God of tender mercies bring comfort to the family.
October 8, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Mrs Davis
October 7, 2016
May GOD keep you he loaned us to u for a brief moment in which we were all privileged to have known you and your brilliant genius RIP we will miss you
louise wisinski
October 7, 2016
RIP Mr. Temperton. You wrote many great hits but my favorite is "Boogie Nights". God bless.
October 7, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
October 7, 2016
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. May you find much comfort from our God of comfort during this difficult time (Act 24:15)
PHOENIX ARIZONA
Natalie Sweet
October 6, 2016
I came of age to your amazing and wonderful songs. May heaven now be filled with the lyrics of love and joy that you provided to millions..Forever and evermore.
Keeping the Family and closest friends in near thoughts and prayers.
Anita Vazquez
October 6, 2016
My heart goes out to the family I love his music. -and it's sad we were listening to his song last night.
Kathleen Kaiser
October 6, 2016
What a tremendous loss to the world, peace and comfort to his family
YOULANDA
October 6, 2016
RIP MR.TEMPERTON.
Youlanda
October 6, 2016
RIP MR. TEMPERTON
Harry Simpson
October 6, 2016
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Hyde
October 6, 2016
Throw your burdens and sorrow on God because he cares for you. The family has my complete sympathy. Mr. Temperton was a talented individual.
October 6, 2016
My sincere condolences to the Temperton family. I' am sorry for your loss. 1Peter 5:6,7
Cheryl Landin
October 6, 2016
RiP, I love your music.
Prayers for the family, sorry for your loss and the loss to the music world.
Kurt Williams
October 6, 2016
This man was the definition of genius. What an incredible talent. Check out some of his eariy works with Heatwave. You will truly be missed. RIP Rod
October 6, 2016
What a talented artist! My condolences to the family. May the words at Psalms 27:14 where we place our hope in God and he will never abandon us especially when we experience heart break.
October 6, 2016
He was able to delve into the sinister, deep darkness and harrowing bleakness without foreboding. It intrigued minds of like-oriented, and leaves death dealing impact in the memory of those he leaves behind.
October 6, 2016
Sad loss. May the God of tender mercy be with the family.
M J
October 6, 2016
Thanks for Always and Forever.
Kathy Ausmus
October 6, 2016
Rest In Peace until the day Jesus calls you back to life on a Paradise earth. My deepest sympathy to the family. John 5:28; Matthew 5:5
Sincerely Kate Ausmus
Lida
October 6, 2016
How truly sad to lose such a young and talented man, my sincere condolences. His music will live on forever. Please take comfort knowing that our Loving God promises that soon "no resident will say I am sick."
October 6, 2016
I offer my condolences for your loss. May your family find peace and comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
October 6, 2016
My condolence to the family of Rod Temperton,
May the God of all comfort, comfort you at this most difficult time.
Juanita Janey
October 6, 2016
To The Family:
I'm so sorry for your lost. I remember Rod from the group Heatwave. What a wonderful song writer. Rod when you wrote song and I see them on other artists albums or records, what a talented man you were.
Rest in peace, and thank you for your songs.
With Deepest Sympathy,
October 6, 2016
Beloveds, truly sorry to hear about Rod Temperton. What a talent! His fine legacy will truly be remembered. I hope to meet him in Paradise! (Luke23:43)
October 6, 2016
My deepest sympathy to the Temperton family. In this hour of sadness, may you find comfort in the peace from God that surpasses all understanding
-Pip. 4:6,7
Jane Dowling
October 6, 2016
God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
October 6, 2016
I would like to express my deepest sympathies at the death of your loved one. Know that "the Father of tender mercies" feel your pain and sorrow. Isaiah 61:1,2 reads: "He sent me (Jesus Christ) to bind up the brokenhearted, ... To comfort all who mourn, ...
RDH
October 6, 2016
To the Temperton family.
I am very sorry for the loss of your
dear loved one,my condolences
to you all at this difficult time.
May the words Jesus spoke at
John 6:44 bring you comfort.
Marvin Pickett
October 6, 2016
One of my favorite "Funksters" of all time has left us. Rest in Peace FunkMaster Rod.
michelle plakas-kaiser
October 5, 2016
rip
Marci
October 5, 2016
Dorothy Jones
October 5, 2016
Rod Temperton you were a true genius. Your music will go on forever. May you find peace. God bless you always. Xo
October 5, 2016
ALL I CAN SAY IS "THANK YOU" ...
October 5, 2016
I love your music !! Sad to read about a talented song writer passed. Condolences to family and friends
October 5, 2016
Thank you for your contributions to Thriller. A never-to-be-repeated effort.
Maribeth Miley
October 5, 2016
Heatwave was one of the greatest groups that created awesome dance hits and memorable ballads. Thank you Rod for sharing your talent with the world.
Adrian Barnette
October 5, 2016
We'll miss you !
October 5, 2016
Thank you for my favorite love song "Always and Forever." Such a talent. RIP.
Showing 1 - 62 of 62 results
Make a Donation
in Rod Temperton's name
How to support Rod's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Rod Temperton's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored