Rod Temperton

British songwriter whose career started to heat up in 1977 as the keyboard player for the group Heatwave. He wrote and composed three of their biggest singles ("Boogie Nights", "The Groove Line" and "Always and Forever"). He later wrote many of the songs for Karen Carpenter's eponymous solo album. His songwriting skills were soon noticed by Quincy Jones who in 1978 hired him to write songs for an album he was producing for Michael Jackson, "Off the Wall". Temperton ended up writing the title track, plus "Rock With You" and "Burn This Disco Out". He continued his journey with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson by co-writing the [Opening Version of] "Someone In the Dark" from the soundtrack/audiobook to E.T. the Extra Terrestrial in 1982. Immediately following was the title track for the multi-platinum "Thriller", as well as "The Lady In My Life" and "Baby Be Mine". Continuing with Quincy Jones, he wrote many songs for artists including Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, James Ingram, Anita Baker, Manhattan Transfer, Patti Austin, Rufus, The Brothers Johnson and Donna Summer. Here is a sampling of his works for other artists:

Michael Jackson - "Rock With You"  "Off the Wall"  "Burn This Disco Out"  "Baby Be Mine"  "The Lady In My Life"  "Thriller"  "Someone In the Dark"  "Hot Street"

Heatwave -  "Boogie Nights"  "The Groove Line"  "Gangsters Of the Groove"  "Lettin' It Loose" "Always and Forever"  "Keep Tomorrow For Me"

James Ingram  - "One More Rhythm"  

James Ingram (with Michael McDonald) -  "Yah Mo B There"

Quincy Jones -  "The Dude"  "Razzamatazz"  "Somethin' Special"  "Turn On the Action"  "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"  "Back On the Block"  "You Put a Move On My Heart"  "Q's Jook Joint"

Herbie Hancock -  "Lite Me Up"  "Getting To the Good Part"  "Motor Mouth"

Manhattan Transfer -  "Mystery"  "The Spice Of Life"

Mica Paris -  "Whisper a Prayer"  "Love Keeps Coming Back"  "Two In a Million"  "You Put a Move On My Heart"

Patti Austin -  "Do You Love Me?"  "Love Me To Death"  "Baby, Come To Me"  "The Genie"  "Stop, Look, Listen"

Michael McDonald -  "Sweet Freedom (Theme from Running Scared)"

Klymaxx -  "Man Size Love (Theme from the Motion Picture Running Scared)"

Donna Summer -  "Love Is In Control (Finger On the Trigger)"  "Livin' In America"  "Love Is Just a Breath Away"

C+C Music Factory -  "Share That Beat Of Love"

Brothers Johnson -  "Stomp!"  "Treasure"  "Light Up the Night"  "All About the Heaven"

George Benson -  "Love X Love"  "Off Broadway"  "Give Me the Night"  "Star Of a Story (X)"  "Turn Out The Lamplight" 

Jeffrey Osborne -  "We Belong To Love"  

Aretha Franklin -  "Livin' In the Streets"

Bob James -  "Sign Of the Times"  "The Steamin' Feelin'"

Rufus & Chaka -  "Masterjam"  "Live In Me"  

Second Image -  "Lights Out"

Stephanie Mills -  "Time Of Your Life"  "Hold On To Midnight"

LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men -  "Hey Lover"  

Angie Stone -  "Lovers' Ghetto"