R.I.P.: Thiller Songwriter, Heatwave Co-Founder Rod Temperton

Michael Jackson and Rod Temperton

Rod Temperton, one of the most successful British pop songwriters of all time, has died following a short battle with cancer.

Rod Temperton

He was 66, according to Music Business Worldwide.

The hugely talented composer wrote Michael Jackson classics including Off the Wall, Rock With You, Thriller, Baby Be Mine, Burn This Disco Out and The Lady in My Life.

The Thriller album has sold in excess of 30m copies in the US, according to the RIAA, and continues to sell more than 100,000 copies in the country each year.

Temperton's catalogue also includes songs performed by Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Michael McDonald and Quincy Jones — whose breakthrough solo album, The Dude, Temperton co-wrote.

Temperton’s first hits came as co-founder and keyboardist of the pioneering funk/disco band Heatwave, for whom he wrote a string of platinum singles.