Michael Jackson's Thriller songwriter has died aged 66

[Gerald]

Rod Temperton, the songwriter behind Michael Jackson's Thriller and Rock With You, has died aged 66.

Temperton died of cancer last week, according to Jon Platt, chairman and chief executive of Warner/Chappell.

"His family is devastated and request total privacy at this, the saddest of sad times," said Mr Platt, adding that the funeral was private.

Temperton, also a record producer and keyboard player, began his career as a member of the disco band Heatwave.

For the group, he wrote the 1970s hits Always And Forever and Boogie Nights.

http://news.sky.com/story/michael-jacksons-thriller-songwriter-has-died-aged-66-10606335

RIP Mr Rod Temperton for all good songs.

Note: 15:59, UK,
Wednesday 05 October 2016

[Commander Wallace]

I'm saddened to hear of Rod Temperton's loss.






Rest in peace.

[Jimbuna]

I'm saddened to hear of Rod Temperton's loss.






Rest in peace.

I'll second that and what is almost equally as sad is the fact a large number of people never realised what excellent songs and music he wrote until after his death.

[Commander Wallace]

I'll second that and what is almost equally as sad is the fact a large number of people never realised what excellent songs and music he wrote until after his death.

Even worse is the fact that Rod Temperton and many others collaborated on many hit songs but were never credited or compensated for their efforts. If they were given credit, they were lucky.

Bonnie Raitt, famous for being a blues " slide " guitarist, discovered many of the old time R&B musicians, famous for writing and performing some top 10 hits, never received royalties for the music they wrote and were only compensated for the day that they recorded the song they wrote. As a result, many of the pioneers of R&B and blues music died impoverished.

Quote: Bonnie continues to use her influence to affect the way music is perceived and appreciated in the world. In 1988, she was one of the co-founders of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which works to improve royalties, financial conditions, and recognition for a whole generation of R&B pioneers to whom she feels we owe so much.

In 1995, she initiated the Bonnie Raitt Guitar Project with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, currently running in 200 clubs around the world, to encourage underprivileged youth to play music as budgets for music instruction in the schools run dry. Bonnie currently sits on the Advisory or Honorary Boards of a number of organizations, including Little Kids Rock, Rainforest Action Network, Music Maker Relief Foundation, and the Arhoolie Foundation.

http://www.bonnieraitt.com/bio


Bonnie has gone on tour with other musicians and invited many of the older R&B and Blues Musicians to tour with her and after expenses, turned over the money from these concerts to the unknown musicians.


All of these facts make Rod Temperton's loss even more difficult as he was under appreciated to a large degree. Kudos and much appreciation to Bonnie Raitt and others for their efforts in working to have these artists and musicians recognized.