Who Is Rod Temperton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Rod Temperton was born on October 9, 1949, and passed away on September 25, 2016. He was a groundbreaking English songwriter, producer, and musician known for his exceptional contributions to the music world. With a career spanning several decades, Temperton is best remembered for penning iconic hits for artists like Michael Jackson, including the unforgettable "Rock with You," "Off the Wall," and "Thriller." His innovative songwriting and ability to blend various genres have made him a pivotal figure in the music industry.
| Occupation | Pop Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 9, 1949 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 25 September, 2016 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Rod Temperton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specifics regarding Rod Temperton's physical stats are not extensively documented, it is known that he had a charismatic presence. His contributions to the entertainment industry eclipsed any physical measurements.
Temperton's work attracted the attention of Quincy Jones, and he asked his engineer Bruce Swedien to check out the Heatwave album. "Holy cow! I simply loved Rod's musical feeling.
Everything about it—Rod's arrangements, his tunes, his songs—was exceedingly hip", Swedien said, calling Temperton "the most disciplined pop music composer I've ever met. When he comes to the studio, every musical detail is written down or accounted for in Rod's mind.
He never stops until he feels confident that the music we're working on is able to stand on its own." In 1979, Jones recruited Temperton to write for Off the Wall, Michael Jackson's first solo album in four years and his first full-fledged solo release for Epic Records.
Temperton wrote three songs for the album, including "Rock with You", which was the album's second US no. 1 single.
Relationship Facts:
- Wife: Kathy Temperton
- Children: Limited information available
Interviewed for the BBC Radio 2 documentary The Invisible Man: the Rod Temperton Story, he said that he was a musician from an early age: "My father wasn't the kind of person who would read you a story before you went off to sleep. He used to put a transistor radio in the crib, right on the pillow, and I'd go to sleep listening to Radio Luxembourg, and I think that had an influence."
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2016, Rod Temperton's estimated net worth was around $10 million. His wealth was primarily generated through his successful music career, which included songwriting royalties, production fees, and various business ventures. His songs continue to earn residual income, contributing to his lasting legacy.
Career, Business and Investments
Rod Temperton's career began in the early 1970s as a member of the band Heatwave, where he wrote hits like "Boogie Nights." His talent caught the attention of Michael Jackson, leading to a prolific collaboration that changed the landscape of pop music. In addition to his work with Jackson, Temperton wrote songs for numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, George Benson, and Quincy Jones.
Beyond music, Temperton was known to invest in various business ventures, although specific details on his investments are scarce. His legacy continues as new generations discover his music, and his influence remains strong.
Social Network
Rod Temperton was not active on social media platforms as he preferred to keep his personal life private. However, his music and contributions to the industry are celebrated through various fan pages and music-related social media accounts where fans continue to discuss and share his work.
Temperton was the keyboardist and principal songwriter for the 1970s funk band Heatwave, writing songs including "Star of a Story", "Always and Forever", "Boogie Nights", and "The Groove Line".
After he was recruited by record producer Quincy Jones, Temperton wrote three hit songs for Jones' protégé Michael Jackson: "Thriller", "Off the Wall", and "Rock with You". He also wrote songs for George Benson, including "Give Me the Night" and "Love X Love", along with Patti Austin and James Ingram's U.S.
number-one single "Baby, Come to Me", among others.
Education
Rod Temperton was a self-taught musician who honed his skills through practice and dedication. He did not attend a formal music school, but his innovative approach to songwriting and production demonstrated a genius-level understanding of music theory and composition.
Temperton attended De Aston Grammar School, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, and he formed a group for the school's music competitions. He was a drummer at this time.
"I'd get in the living room with my snare drum and my cymbal and play along to the BBC test card, which was all kinds of music they'd be playing continuously." On leaving school, he started working as a fish filleter for Ross Frozen Foods in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
