SAD: Songwriter Behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Rod Temperton Is Dead

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

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.

Temperton, whose other credits include Boogie Nights, Off the Wall, Give Me the Night, Sweet Freedom and Always and Forever, is one of the most important songwriters and composers in contemporary pop.