As most folks over the age of 30 would agree, Micheal Jackson was at his peak with the thriller album. produced by Quincy jones and a lot of the tracks written by a guy called Rod temperton. well after listening to R2 last week I discovered Rod Temperton is white, lives in huddersfield and has written and played on some of the greatest Disco records ever.
The programme is called the "Invisible man" and is available on listen again via the R2 website which you can access by clicking here.
There are contributions from Quincy Jones, Heatwave, Micheal Macdonald and Patti Austin. It really is a well worth a listen and i'm just trying to work out what i find more bizzare, the fact the guy is white or the fact he comes from Huddersfield
Full Version: would you believe it?
|
|
|
Rod Temperton comes from Cleethorpes in the U.K.
He began his career as keyboard player with Heatwave, also writing their hits including 'Boogie Nights', 'The Groove Line' and 'Always & Forever'.
Prior to being part of Heatwave, Rod was part of a group called The Hammer, who featured the singer John David Parker amongst others.
His songwriting skills were soon noticed by Quincy Jones who hired him to write songs for an album he was producing for Michael Jackson.
Rod ended up writing 'Rock With You', 'Baby Be Mine', 'The Lady In My Life' and the title track of Michael's 'Off The Wall' album in 1979, together with the title song 'Thriller' of his follow-up.
Also through Quincy Jones he wrote for the following singers / bands:
Rufus: 'Masterjam' LP.
The Brothers Johnson: 'Treasure' on the 'Stomp' LP.
Donna Summer: 'Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)', 'Livin' In America' and 'Love Is Just A Breath Away'.
Quincy Jones: 'The Dude', 'Razzamatazz', 'Somethin' Special', 'Turn On The Action', 'The Secret Garden' and 'Back On The Block' and 'Q's Jook Joint'.
Herbie Hancock: 'Lite Me Up', 'Getting To The Good Part'.
Aretha Franklin: 'Livin' In The Streets'.
Jeffrey Osborne: 'We Belong To Love' (which Rod also produced).
Bob James: 'Sign Of The Times' and 'The Steamin' Feelin'.
Manhattan Transfer: 'Mystery', 'The Spice Of Life'.
George Benson: 'Give Me The Night' LP.
James Ingram: 'It's Your Night' LP.
Anita Baker: 'Mystery'.
Patti Austin: 'Every Home Should Have One' LP.
Michael McDonald: 'Sweet Freedom'.
Stephanle Mills: 'Time Of Your Life' and 'Hold On To Midnight'.
Rod also wrote several songs on a 1979 solo album for Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters entitled 'Karen Carpenter'.
He began his career as keyboard player with Heatwave, also writing their hits including 'Boogie Nights', 'The Groove Line' and 'Always & Forever'.
Prior to being part of Heatwave, Rod was part of a group called The Hammer, who featured the singer John David Parker amongst others.
His songwriting skills were soon noticed by Quincy Jones who hired him to write songs for an album he was producing for Michael Jackson.
Rod ended up writing 'Rock With You', 'Baby Be Mine', 'The Lady In My Life' and the title track of Michael's 'Off The Wall' album in 1979, together with the title song 'Thriller' of his follow-up.
Also through Quincy Jones he wrote for the following singers / bands:
Rufus: 'Masterjam' LP.
The Brothers Johnson: 'Treasure' on the 'Stomp' LP.
Donna Summer: 'Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)', 'Livin' In America' and 'Love Is Just A Breath Away'.
Quincy Jones: 'The Dude', 'Razzamatazz', 'Somethin' Special', 'Turn On The Action', 'The Secret Garden' and 'Back On The Block' and 'Q's Jook Joint'.
Herbie Hancock: 'Lite Me Up', 'Getting To The Good Part'.
Aretha Franklin: 'Livin' In The Streets'.
Jeffrey Osborne: 'We Belong To Love' (which Rod also produced).
Bob James: 'Sign Of The Times' and 'The Steamin' Feelin'.
Manhattan Transfer: 'Mystery', 'The Spice Of Life'.
George Benson: 'Give Me The Night' LP.
James Ingram: 'It's Your Night' LP.
Anita Baker: 'Mystery'.
Patti Austin: 'Every Home Should Have One' LP.
Michael McDonald: 'Sweet Freedom'.
Stephanle Mills: 'Time Of Your Life' and 'Hold On To Midnight'.
Rod also wrote several songs on a 1979 solo album for Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters entitled 'Karen Carpenter'.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.