It is no longer news that legendary British songwriter Rodney Lynn "Rod" Temperton is gone.
He died on the first week of October, 2016 (the exact date was never announced) at the age of 66 after what his music publisher called a "a brief aggressive battle with cancer."
When his death was announced, I was battling with chicken pox and didn’t have the strength to write anything about this great songwriter whose work influenced me greatly. But I promised myself that I would still do my own tribute when I got back on my feet.
Although Temperton was also a record producer and musician, what stands him out is the songs he wrote for other people such as Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Brothers Johnson and George Benson. He just could not stop penning hit upon hit for various singers.
A lot of people knew Temperton’s songs but never knew the man behind the powerful lyrics, no wonder he was nicknamed The Invisible Man!
Incidentally, I am one of the annoying people who pore over album sleeves to check out credits and find out exactly who did what. That’s how I stumbled on this name that would start appearing more frequently on the albums of singers I loved.
The name “Rod Temperton” started recurring to me with greater frequency but little did I know that the mind behind some the biggest hits by African American singers I was in love with was an Englishman – and white too!
I never knew his name when he was a member of the funk band Heatwave – although I was a fan of the group and loved their songs such as "Boogie Nights". But in 1979 legendary music producer Quincy Jones recruited Temperton and the writer started churning out hit songs. His list of credits also included Herbie Hancock, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin and countless others.
He wrote three songs for Jackson’s Off The Wall, an album that sold over 20 million copies. He also wrote three songs for Jackson’s next album, Thriller – the best selling album of all time. He was even the guy who gave the album the name Thriller.
In 1991 Temperton finally won a Grammy Award for his work on “Birdland,” which came from Quincy Jones’ Back on the Block album. The Grammy came at least a decade too late, in my estimation.
Temperton remained so invisible that the world only knew about his death after his funeral!
He is survived by his wife Kathy.
My Top 10 Rod Temperton Songs
1. Stomp – The Brothers Johnson
Arguably the best song these talented brothers have ever produced. This is one of my all time favourite R&B tunes. The bass line just wows me. A song I have never got tired of listening to.
2. Love X Love – George Benson
Give Me The Night is my favourite George Benson album. It was my first time of hearing the richly talented guitarist actually sing! I was in love with the title track – which was the first single. And then he released Love X Love and a whole new love affair began.
3. Rock With You – Michael Jackson
When my friends were jamming to “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” and “Off the Wall,” I discovered “Rock With You” and every other song in this great album took a back seat.
4. Ya Mo B There – James Ingram & Michael MacDonald
Was this a gospel song or what? The silky voices of James Ingram and Michael MacDonald blew me away in this song. The vocal ensemble was something else…not to talk of the beat! No wonder, the song earned the duo a Grammy.
5. Thriller – Michael Jackson
The 7th and final single that was released from this iconic album. This song grew on me gradually. Then after watching the video – the first of its kind – it quickly became one of my best ever MJ specials.
6. Give Me The Night – George Benson
Charted at number one on both Soul and Jazz charts. It showed Benson’s vocals were as awesome as his renowned guitar skills. What kept him silent for so long?
7. Baby Come to Me – Patti Austin and James Ingram
This chart topper is a classic love ballad. It was underrated by the world until it was used as a romantic theme song for the soap opera “General Hospital”. It has been covered by a lot of artists such as Alexander O’Neal, Daryl Hall and Shirley Bassey.
8. The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite) – Quincy Jones
This song featured James Ingram, Al. B. Sure!, El Debarge and the baddest baritone of all time – Barry White. What more could one ask for? The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Black singles chart. Enough said.
9. Baby Be Mine – Michael Jackson
This song was never released as a single and I never cease to wonder why. Maybe after the string of hits (seven) that came from the magnificent Thriller album the record label thought people would be tired. I’m sure they were wrong.
10. Always and Forever – Heatwave
I confess that I didn’t know this song until Luther Vandross covered it in 1994. Vandross’s performance totally blew my mind. And I’m not alone; it was so good it earned him a Grammy. Many other artists have covered the song. They include Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers and Cliff Richard. Timeless.
Picture credit: www.soultracks.com
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