I produced a BBC documentary on Rod and then wrote the only book about him. I was lucky to spend hours with a true genius. he knew he was but remained humble. when I proposed writing a biography of him he said: "I wouldn't bother. nobody would be interested." that summed him up. every musician and studio technician I interviewed had nothing but high praise for a man who improved the lives of so many with his ludicrously catchy songs. I still have Rod days when I only listen to songs penned by the greatest songwriter there has ever been.
Thanks for your comment Jed. Agree the man was a genius. I don't agree with him when he said 'nobody would be interested'. I've written a film script on his life and career I'm trying to get made as I find so many people ARE interested in his story - and had little or no idea he was behind so many great songs. Sounds like a winning formula to me! All the best, Lee
A knighthood? Let's start by getting him into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where, for some reason, he's not inducted. A travesty! I challenge all with better social media savvy than I to drum up support for it.
Songwriters Hall of Fame, a posthumous knighthood... and an incredible biopic (script written!) ua-cam.com/video/1kCa9L57sdU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=LeeBullen
This guy practically wrote the sound track to our lives. From the heatwave days to brothers Johnson, Michael Jackson and so many more. R.I.P invisible man.
In 1977 my younger brother and i saw Heatwave live at The Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Decades later i sat at his bedside as he passed away, playing 'Always Forever' on my smartphone...Thank you Rod...❤
He's in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, because that's what he was, apart from a short stint in his UK disco band Heatwave. Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is more about famous performers which he wasn't, yes many are composer's, Elvis never wrote one song. Songwriter Hall of Fame is correct for him.
It's criminal that he isn't ❗️ I can only think of a couple prolific songwriters that wrote huge hits and that's Barry Gibb , Sting , Freddie Mercury and Elton John . Rod's right up there with them 👍🏻
Given his obvious acknowledged talents, his incredible writing and production history along with the people he's worked with, I would not call this icon "underrated". You don't get a phone call from Quincy Jones to write for Michael Jackson by being underrated. LOL! If anything I would say Rod Temperton is highly rated and celebrated, through all his work accomplishments, even if the average music fan doesn't realize that he was responsible for the classics that they are used to listening to.
@@shadowmixx In a way you're both right. I just watched this video and I have to admit not being aware until right now, how many fantastic songs Rod Temperton has written. I knew his songs very well, but most of the fans don't know, who's the composer. 😉 But I am with you as far as Rod's reputation among musicians and producers is concerned. Thriller is the best selling album ever and Rod is a big part of it. 👏 So thanks a lot to Lee Bullen for sharing this video. 👍❤
Plenty of real Music Fans born before 1980 (and quite a few after) know his name and the scope of his work. More importantly, those in this time that aspire to create a catalog and Legacy like his would do well to study his work.
How in the hell is he underrated ??? With all of the frickin iconic music he created dam!!! Dum dum why do folks use the word underrated on UA-cam so darn much such a stupid comment
After George Harrison and Something - Frank Sinatra called “Something” "the greatest love song of the past 50 years." and he should have known. But I am with you - Always & Forever was one of the first singles I ever bought - also Boogie Nights and the stella - Groove Line which got me up on the disco floor for the first time.
@@Spartanm333 Just be aware that Sinatra made that statement in 1970. Always & Forever was released at the end of '77. Not really a meaningful statement today. Besides.. Sinatra was no songwriter. Who cares what he thought.
This man deserves to be known by anyone who loves MJ, soul & R&B or claims to love the art of music! Rod T’s music is timeless! Thank you for this amazing love doc ❤
People should look at who wrote the songs, with MJ I thought he wrote all his songs but no he used many other composers. I just bought on eBay a Commodores LP & there he is, Temperton on a few of their songs. He looked completely wrong in a disco band to the point of laughter in my young days when we didn't care about who composed what, but many years later he is at last making a name for himself. He must have made millions but could shop at Asda unrecognised & I think he preferred that.
Rod Temperton is not only a musical genius, but his music is the soundtrack to my childhood. Thank you forever, Rod! May God continue to be pleased with you!
one of rod temperton's best songs has to be heatwave's "star of the story." often overlooked. incredible songwriter with a deep understanding of harmony and how to emotionally connect with the listener. genius.
@@LeeBullenWriter there's a new version that's a house track, but the instrumentation is true to the original. it's by louie vega (from masters at work) & lisa fischer.
I love Star of the Story ❤ my absolute favourite Heatwave track , stunning, beautiful gorgeous song , and of course Johnnie Wilder's vocals are always pitch perfect, he sounds like an angel ❤
I swear, growing up in the 80's. I was trying to get people/friends, to listen to me about the Musical Genuis of Rod Temperton. and NO ONE would listen. finally, after all these years he is getting ALL the recognition he so rightfully deserves. ONE of the GREATEST Music Composer of ALL TIME. like myself, Quincy Jones saw Rod genius. they were BEST BUDDIES since the LATE 70's. and formed one of the most successful music teams of all time. RIP Rod Temperton. 1949-2016
The invisible man, more like the silent assassin, this guy didn't seem to get the notoriety that he more than anyone in the industry deserved, a song writing genius of the very HIGHEST ORDER 🇬🇧🔥👌❤️.
I love unexpected stories like this. The unassuming guy from Cleethorpes being the heart and soul of a whole music genre and writing MJ's biggest hits. Lovely to hear from Robbie Vincent here as well as Greg Phillinganes personal anecdotes of working with Rod. Thank you for putting this together.
I'll never forget after hearing "Boogie Nights" going and finding that first "Heatwave" album after it's release getting it home and listening to it and thinking every song on here is a HIT... Rod Temperton is an Musical Icon!
Praise undeniably deserved but think just once more, he didn’t just write the lyrics but on heatwaves albums, ALL THE PARTS, ALL THE NOTES, now that is genius
Rod's songwriting skills were truly incredible. Many people didn't spot him early on (Boogie Nights was 1976) but QJ did and the amazing transformation of music from 1978 - 1982 was clearly apparent in Temperton's work. He passed way too young and yes, I agree with the comment on here, he should be awarded a posthumous knighthood if that's possible. His services to the music industry were phenomenal. Well done Lee for highlighting him so well.
@@LeeBullenWriterI had all the LPs then. In 1978 I was 20. We all saw R. Temperton on the record label on almost everything then! No-one really knew who he was as there was no internet and communication was primitive compared to today. He was the keyboard player in Heatwave....and that was it at the time! "Lady me mine" from Thriller was an incredible track and sends shivers down my spine, the lyrics and sound are beautiful. No music today comes anywhere near this golden era from 1978 - 1982+. From a fish factory in Cleethorpes to Los Angeles and untold wealth (deserved too every penny!!!) RIP to a genius. Let me know when you make the film please Lee.
@@martinplatt5928 From fish factory in Cleethorpes to LA luxury is the film story in a nutshell! I'll certainly let you know if I get anywhere with it...
Don't like to say it. But RnB doesn't get the same respect or recognition as ROCK or pure POP. Thats why he has never got his due. The likes of the Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin Phil Collins etc. Get overrated. Then a genius like Tempeŕton is a side note in comparison.
I was lucky enough to see Heatwave Live in a club in Oldham England just after the release of Boogie Nights with Rod on Keyboards Bilbo on drums and the wilder brothers. It was a lightbulb moment for me and can still relive their music The following year they were backing Rose Foyce. Rod had left by then
Wow so many songs I didn't knew this dude had wriiten! Lennon and McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Diane Warren, Ashford and Simpson, Burt Bacherach - and add this dude to the list of song writing geniuses please....
I agree. We all know the songs, not the creator. Has the makings for a good film imo. Im trying to get this off the ground ua-cam.com/video/O-wVDFvMTjk/v-deo.html
When the 'Too Hot to Handle' album was released in the US in '76 (and the DJ's said it was a group from London), of course, an overwhelming majority of 'Black Folk' thought "Our organ player" who wrote all the songs on the album --- to include 'Always and Forever' was a black man! Yet, I didn't find out that fact until AFTER Michael's Thriller album, that WAS NOT the case! So the three songs on 'Off The Wall,' I was just clueless! But back then I didn't care who wrote the songs, I just liked the songs! Then all the other hits this dude created . . . Wow! I, for one, was just flabbergasted! So impressive . . . and Rod was just a quiet, unassuming dude! Wish I could have given him his props while he was still with us --- but I guess I did with my dollars for all his records I bought! #RESPECT #haveapeacefuljourneyRod
Amazing, I remember Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones always saying his name and thanking him at award shows, but never knew who he was, so humble. Yes he deserves all the accolades. What an amazing talent.
Rod Temperton, I have known you since I first heard 'boogie nights'! Really . . . nearly every song could I feel . . . "Groove Line" was the ultimate . . . I won't even mention the Michael Jackson stuff . . . and many others! Man, you were phenomenal! I'll be your fan forever!😁
Wow I remember looking at all my records back in the 80s and from heatwave, brothers Johnson Mike Jackson, and Rufus, George Benson, he owned the years from 79 to 82 I would see that name ROD TEMPERTON, and would always wonder who was this genius writing these hits.
I’ve been waiting for something like this to be made regarding Mr. Temperton. His contribution to music laid the groundwork for the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives, including mine. Due to my Uncle, rest in peace Stan, I was introduced to his work early during my childhood. Mr. Temperton wrote some of the best music…ever. The man and his music deserve more recognition. Thank you, Mr. Temperton, for everything you gave us. You were a brilliant musician. While the Invisible Man may be your moniker here, it is absolutely not true. You were and are still visible to all of us. Rest In Peace Mr. Temperton. Much love and respect to you.
All the most beloved music of my later teen years. Heat Wave in paricular and Off the Wall over and over and over so that the 8-tracks were warped. I was thinking it was the groups and dancing rythyms I loved, but now I know it was an undefined love of Rod Termperton. ❤️
So many great hits written by Rod T. How much great R&B would we have missed without this guy? Incredibly gifted writer, so few around who can write at this level now.
Beautiful writer. Exquisite harmonies and key changes. Any time, in any band, in any song I can hear his music and say "that's Rod Temperton". Quincy, Rod and Michael... Just no equivalent now.
I remember hearing "Love x Love" for the first time and pow - that's gotta be Rod, that's gotta be Patti Austin on bvs and JR on drums... Such a polished, but soulful writer.
There's talent, hard work, even luck! Then there's sheer genius. He's all the above. I knew about Rod Temperton from reading his name on two MJ albums, but I had no idea how broad his songwriting was. Incredible. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
I always had my favourite songs, and genre, it wasn't until I was a lot older that I realised they were all written by Rod. He really is a legend in the true sense of the word.
As I started to read the comments of UA-cam on the songs I listened to, I noticed people that are more knowledgeable than me would acknowledge that Rod Temperton wrote the song. Or they put it, "Another great Rod Temperton song!".
Although he’s not regarded as one who could carry a note vocally, his song writing and music composition is a foundation of which to sky rocket off into musical heaven. Ground breaking musical genius 👏
Without rod the music of the 70s/80s would not have been the same its impossible to imagine just how much impact his writing influenced the time rip genius your music lives on 😢
finally someone put together a film about my hero! those many decades ago, i kept seeing the name Rod Temperton in the credits of all my favourite R&B and soul songs. like many, i thought he was black. imagine the surprise when i found out that he was an Englishman!
And a true gent and all-round nice chap! Thanks for your message, I think many of us saw 'R. Temperton' in brackets on the label of our favourite records and wondered who he was. Great story for me, would love to make this into a movie one day! All the best. Lee
Now this is the quality of content I am sorely lacking. It's nice to have Rod Temperton acknowledged for his contributions to the marvelous songs I love listening to. "Razzmatazz" by Quincy Jones featuring Patti Austin on lead vocals is a favorite of mine. I never get tired of listening to "Spice of Life" written by Temperton for The Manhattan Transfer.
@@LeeBullenWriter, when I think of all the artists and musicians Rod Temperton wrote for, I would describe his catalog as titanic. Two of my favorite albums are: Off The Wall by Michael Jackson Masterjam by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
@@martyemmons3100 Great stuff! Both worked on in the same year!... just before working on other little albums like Give Me the Night! An Invisible Genius!
if you grew up in the era of the 45s and albums, It was rare not to SEE ROD TEMPERTON's NAME SLASHED ACROSS THE LABEL!. Even if you were not familiar with the song, you knew if this Man's name appeared on the label,, the song was going to be Good. Thank you ROD TEMPERTON.
OMG, this is a treasure! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, all the Rod Temperton fans and just fans of great Pop and R&B music. Rod was brilliant!
ROD THE GOD😮I Am totally Blown away. I am 55 years old and grew up with Practically all this sound track and never knew who the man was till now. HE DESERVES THE BIGGEST ACOLADE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS TO OFFER🎶
When I tell you his music is some of my favorite ever! Understatement, I can not imagine my life with out it. It’s so imprinted in my memory. I love it forever!
I just liked all 635 comments 😊good job guys ! It should be way higher than that, they throw that word "GENIUS" around too loosely meanwhile ROD deserves that title, R.I.P. BROTHER!
Finally revealing Michael Jackson getting credit for stuff he didn't do or had alot of help with. I've been saying it for years. Not giving this man credit for writing songs for MJ that became a top selling hit its a shame. And credit for other songs from other artists.
I was always reading the credits on the back of album covers. I had a knack for buying albums where practically every song was a hit. Rod Tempertons name keep showing up on massive hits across the music spectrum. What a genius.
I am a songwriter, and Rod set a standard that very few people will ever be able to match. Rest in peace Rod and thank you for all THE WORKS OF ART you created in your career. Paul
Knew of him since he was a member of Heatwave in the 70s and always loved his composing and songwriting skills. Props also to lead singers, Johnnie (Rest in paradise) and Keith Wilder, the brothers of Heatwave who also wrote with him and helped find his place in Soul/R&B/Funk/Pop history. Rest in paradise Maestro Rod Temperton. You deserve a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame🙏🏽.
Mind blown! Rod Termperton is one of those names I had heard of back in the day as part of the band Heatwave, but that was it. Now we add in MJ & Off the Wall & Thriller and this legend takes a leap into outerspace. Throw in hits written for Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Rufus & Chaka, George Benson, James Ingram & Michael McDonald, Patti Austin, the Brothers Johnson, Donna Summer, Anita Baker, LL Cool J and I now have whiplash. I feel I could easily take a quarter of my favourite R&B songs, check the credits to find Rod listed there. That is an amzing (Hall of Fame) career. RIP Rod.
From one Brit to another GENIUS of a Brit.... He was simply a phenomenal song writer and he wrote a whole history of iconic lyrics and music that will go on forever. As a child born in 1971, my mum played the "Off The Wall" album to death and that was my childhood memory, music was always playing in my house. He definitely should of had a knighthood for his amazing contribution to the music industry. RIP Mr Temperton, God Bless You 🙏❤️🎶🎵He certainly DID DO GOOD!!!!
His songs are the songs of my youth. So talented and gifted. His legacy to the music world is beyond words. Well done Mr Temperton! Excellent production as well...
An updated version of this documentary is available here: ua-cam.com/video/mf_L8B7WA7c/v-deo.html&ab_channel=LeeBullen
I produced a BBC documentary on Rod and then wrote the only book about him. I was lucky to spend hours with a true genius. he knew he was but remained humble. when I proposed writing a biography of him he said: "I wouldn't bother. nobody would be interested." that summed him up. every musician and studio technician I interviewed had nothing but high praise for a man who improved the lives of so many with his ludicrously catchy songs. I still have Rod days when I only listen to songs penned by the greatest songwriter there has ever been.
Thanks for your comment Jed. Agree the man was a genius. I don't agree with him when he said 'nobody would be interested'. I've written a film script on his life and career I'm trying to get made as I find so many people ARE interested in his story - and had little or no idea he was behind so many great songs. Sounds like a winning formula to me! All the best, Lee
For anyone else reading, this is Jed's biography: www.amazon.com/The-Invisible-Man/dp/1803991844
I just got your book. Can't put it down. Many thanks for sharing first-hand information and insights regarding Rod with us.
@trackrat7424 thanks for purchasing and I am so pleased you are enjoying it
He is indeed the greatest that ever lived because his discography is chock full of pure quality tracks
Let’s petition for Rod to receive a posthumous knighthood for services to music. Lord knows he deserves it !!!!
A knighthood? Let's start by getting him into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where, for some reason, he's not inducted. A travesty! I challenge all with better social media savvy than I to drum up support for it.
Songwriters Hall of Fame, a posthumous knighthood... and an incredible biopic (script written!) ua-cam.com/video/1kCa9L57sdU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=LeeBullen
We don’t need glitter from any Royal Family to tell us how brilliant this man was! The best musicians have all turned down that pointless ‘accolade’.
I'm black American he contributed so much to so many people.
Hells Yeah!
This guy practically wrote the sound track to our lives. From the heatwave days to brothers Johnson, Michael Jackson and so many more. R.I.P invisible man.
In 1977 my younger brother and i saw Heatwave live at The Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Decades later i sat at his bedside as he passed away, playing 'Always Forever' on my smartphone...Thank you Rod...❤
Was he lonely in his last days?
@@Toneeeeee23 Apparently not. Big Bro. was there. Johnnie and Keith met him at the gate.
He should be in the Rock and Roll HOF.
WAIT?????? HE'S NOT????
Absolutely
He's in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, because that's what he was, apart from a short stint in his UK disco band Heatwave. Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is more about famous performers which he wasn't, yes many are composer's, Elvis never wrote one song. Songwriter Hall of Fame is correct for him.
It's criminal that he isn't ❗️ I can only think of a couple prolific songwriters that wrote huge hits and that's Barry Gibb , Sting , Freddie Mercury and Elton John . Rod's right up there with them 👍🏻
Could we yell this a little louder?!?!?!?!
He might the most underrated songwriter of all time lol
Given his obvious acknowledged talents, his incredible writing and production history along with the people he's worked with, I would not call this icon "underrated". You don't get a phone call from Quincy Jones to write for Michael Jackson by being underrated. LOL!
If anything I would say Rod Temperton is highly rated and celebrated, through all his work accomplishments, even if the average music fan doesn't realize that he was responsible for the classics that they are used to listening to.
@@shadowmixx In a way you're both right. I just watched this video and I have to admit not being aware until right now, how many fantastic songs Rod Temperton has written. I knew his songs very well, but most of the fans don't know, who's the composer. 😉
But I am with you as far as Rod's reputation among musicians and producers is concerned. Thriller is the best selling album ever and Rod is a big part of it. 👏
So thanks a lot to Lee Bullen for sharing this video. 👍❤
Plenty of real Music Fans born before 1980 (and quite a few after) know his name and the scope of his work. More importantly, those in this time that aspire to create a catalog and Legacy like his would do well to study his work.
How in the hell is he underrated ??? With all of the frickin iconic music he created dam!!! Dum dum why do folks use the word underrated on UA-cam so darn much such a stupid comment
Not amongst songwriters, but he was not recognised by the public, they think Michael Jackson wrote them.
One of the baddest brothers to ever grace the music industry.
Rod Temperton is straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Rod and Quincy, Nile and Bernard, Maurice, and Norm Whitfield. What a soundtrack to a life.
Yowsah ! Yowsah ! Yowsah !
More Brothers Johnson than Chic I think
Gamble and Huff too
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
🎯💯
Always & Forever - The greatest ballad of all time. A true genius.
Each moment with you, is just like a dream to me, that somehow came true...
@@LeeBullenWriter They call it "The Baby Maker".. Cheers.
OMG YESSSSSS
After George Harrison and Something - Frank Sinatra called “Something” "the greatest love song of the past 50 years." and he should have known. But I am with you - Always & Forever was one of the first singles I ever bought - also Boogie Nights and the stella - Groove Line which got me up on the disco floor for the first time.
@@Spartanm333 Just be aware that Sinatra made that statement in 1970.
Always & Forever was released at the end of '77. Not really a meaningful statement today. Besides.. Sinatra was no songwriter. Who cares what he thought.
Thank you lord for Rod Temperton - what an incredible gift to humanity.
HE WAS REAL 😮
This man deserves to be known by anyone who loves MJ, soul & R&B or claims to love the art of music! Rod T’s music is timeless! Thank you for this amazing love doc ❤
People should look at who wrote the songs, with MJ I thought he wrote all his songs but no he used many other composers. I just bought on eBay a Commodores LP & there he is, Temperton on a few of their songs. He looked completely wrong in a disco band to the point of laughter in my young days when we didn't care about who composed what, but many years later he is at last making a name for himself. He must have made millions but could shop at Asda unrecognised & I think he preferred that.
Rod Temperton is not only a musical genius, but his music is the soundtrack to my childhood. Thank you forever, Rod! May God continue to be pleased with you!
One of the GOAT !!!
He wrote Thriller !!!
That is more than ENOUGH !!!
😢😢😢❤❤❤
Imagine finding out that many of your favourite songs by different artists were written by the same man. Incredible. Thanks for the good times Rod.
one of rod temperton's best songs has to be heatwave's "star of the story." often overlooked. incredible songwriter with a deep understanding of harmony and how to emotionally connect with the listener. genius.
He called that one his most perfectly written song. I love George Benson's version too.
@@LeeBullenWriter there's a new version that's a house track, but the instrumentation is true to the original. it's by louie vega (from masters at work) & lisa fischer.
I love Star of the Story ❤ my absolute favourite Heatwave track , stunning, beautiful gorgeous song , and of course Johnnie Wilder's vocals are always pitch perfect, he sounds like an angel ❤
@@thornbird6768 the perfect song for twilight. I wish we could have a remastered/mixed version. it could sound much richer.
He said it was his favorite composition
Not only did he wrote a song that will last always and forever, but wrote many that are timeless. Incredible talent.❤👍👍👍
Rod temperton was the greatest song writer that ever lived every song he wrote was a HIT ❤💯
A humble genius who will live on through the music. R.I.P. Rod Temperton
I swear, growing up in the 80's. I was trying to get people/friends, to listen to me about the Musical Genuis of Rod Temperton. and NO ONE would listen. finally, after all these years he is getting ALL the recognition he so rightfully deserves. ONE of the GREATEST Music Composer of ALL TIME. like myself, Quincy Jones saw Rod genius. they were BEST BUDDIES since the LATE 70's. and formed one of the most successful music teams of all time. RIP Rod Temperton. 1949-2016
Well said Darrell!
I grew up to the sound of Rod Temperton. Thank You & forever RIP ❤️
The invisible man, more like the silent assassin, this guy didn't seem to get the notoriety that he more than anyone in the industry deserved, a song writing genius of the very HIGHEST ORDER 🇬🇧🔥👌❤️.
We lost a genius way too soon. RIP Rod Temperton. ❤
I love unexpected stories like this. The unassuming guy from Cleethorpes being the heart and soul of a whole music genre and writing MJ's biggest hits. Lovely to hear from Robbie Vincent here as well as Greg Phillinganes personal anecdotes of working with Rod. Thank you for putting this together.
I'll never forget after hearing "Boogie Nights" going and finding that first "Heatwave" album after it's release getting it home and listening to it and thinking every song on here is a HIT... Rod Temperton is an Musical Icon!
Praise undeniably deserved but think just once more, he didn’t just write the lyrics but on heatwaves albums, ALL THE PARTS, ALL THE NOTES, now that is genius
Rod's songwriting skills were truly incredible. Many people didn't spot him early on (Boogie Nights was 1976) but QJ did and the amazing transformation of music from 1978 - 1982 was clearly apparent in Temperton's work. He passed way too young and yes, I agree with the comment on here, he should be awarded a posthumous knighthood if that's possible. His services to the music industry were phenomenal. Well done Lee for highlighting him so well.
Thanks Martin! It's my dream to make a film about those years... would be the best sounding biopic out there! Script written... fingers crossed...
@@LeeBullenWriterI had all the LPs then. In 1978 I was 20. We all saw R. Temperton on the record label on almost everything then! No-one really knew who he was as there was no internet and communication was primitive compared to today. He was the keyboard player in Heatwave....and that was it at the time! "Lady me mine" from Thriller was an incredible track and sends shivers down my spine, the lyrics and sound are beautiful. No music today comes anywhere near this golden era from 1978 - 1982+. From a fish factory in Cleethorpes to Los Angeles and untold wealth (deserved too every penny!!!) RIP to a genius. Let me know when you make the film please Lee.
@@martinplatt5928 From fish factory in Cleethorpes to LA luxury is the film story in a nutshell! I'll certainly let you know if I get anywhere with it...
Don't like to say it. But RnB doesn't get the same respect or recognition as ROCK or pure POP. Thats why he has never got his due.
The likes of the Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin Phil Collins etc. Get overrated. Then a genius like Tempeŕton is a side note in comparison.
Proud to say I was all over this guy's material from Heatwave through the end.
I was lucky enough to see Heatwave Live in a club in Oldham England just after the release of Boogie Nights with Rod on Keyboards Bilbo on drums and the wilder brothers. It was a lightbulb moment for me and can still relive their music
The following year they were backing Rose Foyce. Rod had left by then
Wow. Super and wonderful. Now that's "a lifetime filled with moments of gold. And memories to hold" (you should know the song) ....@@robertbest3796
Wow so many songs I didn't knew this dude had wriiten! Lennon and McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Diane Warren, Ashford and Simpson, Burt Bacherach - and add this dude to the list of song writing geniuses please....
I agree. We all know the songs, not the creator. Has the makings for a good film imo. Im trying to get this off the ground ua-cam.com/video/O-wVDFvMTjk/v-deo.html
He has gotten to be one of best song writers ever. Some of these songs I don’t know he wrote.
He was AMAZING. He wrote hit after hit after hit.
I wish we could start a show were those excellent writers from the 60s & 70s get the proper recognition.
Rod Temperton deserves to be given recognition for his immense contribution to the growth of the music and entertainment industry.
What a legend. Literally made the soundtrack to most peoples lives and literally a pivotal part of music history & black music history. Incredible.
Thank you for producing this. What a class act Rod Temperton was. His songs will last forever
Thanks. Least I could do for the man, his music and what it meant to me :)
Simon talented that group changed the world #R. T.
His Arrangements were so impeccable and hypnotic. Probably my favorite Soul producer next to Thom Bell.
Rod was a genius!
ROD TEMPERTON WAS A LEGENDARY SONGWRITER! I'M SO GLAD AND PROUD THAT QUINCY FOUND HIM!
This dude is the best to ever do it!! Wrote all the hits from all these Artists and I didn't know😱🔥🎶
I remember Rod T from Heatwave..loved him from the very beginning. I saw them in 1977 in concert they were AMAZING. ROD TEMPERTON WAS SPECIAL.
The songs he wrote for Heat Wave alone are legendary
Let’s face it…Rod was sensational. Always in the background. Always magic for anyone who was lucky enough to have him on board in the studio👍
Music legend!
When the 'Too Hot to Handle' album was released in the US in '76 (and the DJ's said it was a group from London), of course, an overwhelming majority of 'Black Folk' thought "Our organ player" who wrote all the songs on the album --- to include 'Always and Forever' was a black man! Yet, I didn't find out that fact until AFTER Michael's Thriller album, that WAS NOT the case! So the three songs on 'Off The Wall,' I was just clueless!
But back then I didn't care who wrote the songs, I just liked the songs!
Then all the other hits this dude created . . . Wow! I, for one, was just flabbergasted!
So impressive . . . and Rod was just a quiet, unassuming dude! Wish I could have given him his props while he was still with us --- but I guess I did with my dollars for all his records I bought!
#RESPECT
#haveapeacefuljourneyRod
Amazing, I remember Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones always saying his name and thanking him at award shows, but never knew who he was, so humble. Yes he deserves all the accolades. What an amazing talent.
Rod Temperton, I have known you since I first heard 'boogie nights'! Really . . . nearly every song could I feel . . . "Groove Line" was the ultimate . . . I won't even mention the Michael Jackson stuff . . . and many others! Man, you were phenomenal! I'll be your fan forever!😁
His songs are very jazz influenced . . . epic. My bf had Off the Wall vinyl.
Wow he left his mark in a good way. Nothing but positive energy in the world
I told my dad 15 yrs ago all the hits Rod wrote he swore Quincy did all of them. RIP Rod 🙏🏽🙏🏽
This guy was truly a genius.
Spectacular talent whose music will never be forgotten
Rod Temperton wrote so many great songs, they'll never be another like he, rest peacefully Sir, you were truly a great one.
Rod was the best ever. The GOAT
9/25/2016 You left this earth......PLEASE REST IN PEACE ..........YOU WERE ONE OF THE GREATEST SONG WRITERS THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.
Rod Temperton 'was off the chain' as they say these days ... incredible talent!
A truly unsung hero. Dude was an absolute legend. Since Thriller, Rod Temperton has not been lost on me.
Was writing songs way before thriller his stuff with heatwave was off the chain
@@calvinhancock9748 Oh trust, I know
Wow I remember looking at all my records back in the 80s and from heatwave, brothers Johnson Mike Jackson, and Rufus, George Benson, he owned the years from 79 to 82 I would see that name ROD TEMPERTON, and would always wonder who was this genius writing these hits.
I’ve been waiting for something like this to be made regarding Mr. Temperton. His contribution to music laid the groundwork for the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives, including mine. Due to my Uncle, rest in peace Stan, I was introduced to his work early during my childhood. Mr. Temperton wrote some of the best music…ever. The man and his music deserve more recognition. Thank you, Mr. Temperton, for everything you gave us. You were a brilliant musician. While the Invisible Man may be your moniker here, it is absolutely not true. You were and are still visible to all of us. Rest In Peace Mr. Temperton. Much love and respect to you.
All the most beloved music of my later teen years. Heat Wave in paricular and Off the Wall over and over and over so that the 8-tracks were warped. I was thinking it was the groups and dancing rythyms I loved, but now I know it was an undefined love of Rod Termperton. ❤️
So many great hits written by Rod T. How much great R&B would we have missed without this guy? Incredibly gifted writer, so few around who can write at this level now.
'You put a move on my heart', written by Rod for Tamia is one of my favorite ballads.
I always wondered why he wasn't more well known...
Great song he also wrote Anita Baker's Mystery of the classic Rapture album!!!
YESSSSSS OMG YESSSSSS I FEEL IN LOVE WITH HER AFTER THAT SONG
YPAMOMH was recorded by Mica Paris in 1993; Tamia covered it in 1995.
@@eltiochusma word ?
@@sirjer73That's my favorite Anita Baker song! Rod was definitely a GENIUS
Beautiful writer.
Exquisite harmonies and key changes.
Any time, in any band, in any song I can hear his music and say "that's Rod Temperton".
Quincy, Rod and Michael... Just no equivalent now.
Well said 🎉
I remember hearing "Love x Love" for the first time and pow - that's gotta be Rod, that's gotta be Patti Austin on bvs and JR on drums... Such a polished, but soulful writer.
This man was responsible for Thriller. That alone should’ve got him a knighthood!
There's talent, hard work, even luck! Then there's sheer genius. He's all the above. I knew about Rod Temperton from reading his name on two MJ albums, but I had no idea how broad his songwriting was. Incredible.
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
Glad I found this. One of the greatest songwriters to come out of england. Alongside Paul and Burt.
I always had my favourite songs, and genre, it wasn't until I was a lot older that I realised they were all written by Rod. He really is a legend in the true sense of the word.
Exactly the same with me! Kept seeing 'R. Temperton' on all my favourite records!
As I started to read the comments of UA-cam on the songs I listened to, I noticed people that are more knowledgeable than me would acknowledge that Rod Temperton wrote the song.
Or they put it, "Another great Rod Temperton song!".
@@martyemmons3100 "Another classic by the great Rod Temperton." I remember saying that many times at karaoke after he passed. 🌹
Rod temperton and quincy Jones were a duo that couldn't be stopped hit after hit after hit it went on and on just fabulous 🥰💯❤❤
Although he’s not regarded as one who could carry a note vocally, his song writing and music composition is a foundation of which to sky rocket off into musical heaven. Ground breaking musical genius 👏
Without rod the music of the 70s/80s would not have been the same its impossible to imagine just how much impact his writing influenced the time rip genius your music lives on 😢
What a talent he was. Amazing.
Everyone that knows Micheal Jackson’s name should also know Rods.
u right, always saw his name as the songwriter on the MJ albums and those songs were always my fav. always wondered who this guy was and now I know
finally someone put together a film about my hero!
those many decades ago, i kept seeing the name Rod Temperton in the credits of all my favourite R&B and soul songs. like many, i thought he was black. imagine the surprise when i found out that he was an Englishman!
And a true gent and all-round nice chap! Thanks for your message, I think many of us saw 'R. Temperton' in brackets on the label of our favourite records and wondered who he was. Great story for me, would love to make this into a movie one day! All the best. Lee
Loved this mans songs and was blown away with what he wrote . Had no idea he wrote Give me the Night and Stomp. What a great video for a great man
Thank you! A great man indeed!
Give Me the Night he wrote alone. Stomp was written, along with 5 or 6 others on the album, with the Brothers Johnson.
His sound in writing style you could always tell it was him as the writer/ great song writer
Growing up I wanted to be a songwriter and quickly became a fan of Rod Temperton's work, a song writer legend
A genius who went about his supernatural, great work. Brilliant man who deserves a statue in every musical city of the world.
Without him they're would be no thriller
Now this is the quality of content I am sorely lacking.
It's nice to have Rod Temperton acknowledged for his contributions to the marvelous songs I love listening to. "Razzmatazz" by Quincy Jones featuring Patti Austin on lead vocals is a favorite of mine.
I never get tired of listening to "Spice of Life" written by Temperton for The Manhattan Transfer.
Thanks Marty! Rod deserves so much praise for his incredible body of work!
@@LeeBullenWriter, when I think of all the artists and musicians Rod Temperton wrote for, I would describe his catalog as titanic. Two of my favorite albums are:
Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Masterjam by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
@@martyemmons3100 Great stuff! Both worked on in the same year!... just before working on other little albums like Give Me the Night! An Invisible Genius!
This was his calling. A lyrical genius . He was able to intuit the artists thinking. A masterclass, in itself.
if you grew up in the era of the 45s and albums, It was rare not to SEE ROD TEMPERTON's NAME SLASHED ACROSS THE LABEL!. Even if you were not familiar with the song, you knew if this Man's name appeared on the label,, the song was going to be Good. Thank you ROD TEMPERTON.
Rod Temperton needs to be induced into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Let's make this happen!!
Come on peeps, let's make this happen!
The soundtrack of my young life and I didn't even know it yet I kept seeing Rod's name popping up everywhere. His sound was undeniable.
YESSSSSS
This was not nearly as long as it could have been. My God, this man's contribution to the music industry was impeccable.
Oh Yess... The One and Only Rod Temperton.. Absolute Genius That Cannot Be Questioned..Rest in Power RT 💖💖
Geez Louise, I am knocked off my feet by the smooth vocal of Johnnie Wilder jr!
Stunning voice eh... so underrated
Rod Temperton=One of the greatest composers and producers of all time!#legendary
OMG, this is a treasure! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, all the Rod Temperton fans and just fans of great Pop and R&B music. Rod was brilliant!
HEATWAVE!!! Groove Line, Star of the Story, Lay it on Me, Always and Forever......
Absolutely brilliant the best thing Ive watched, Rod needs to have an Arts School named after him,
ROD THE GOD😮I Am totally Blown away. I am 55 years old and grew up with Practically all this sound track and never knew who the man was till now. HE DESERVES THE BIGGEST ACOLADE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS TO OFFER🎶
When I tell you his music is some of my favorite ever! Understatement, I can not imagine my life with out it. It’s so imprinted in my memory. I love it forever!
I just liked all 635 comments 😊good job guys ! It should be way higher than that, they throw that word "GENIUS" around too loosely meanwhile ROD deserves that title, R.I.P. BROTHER!
Finally revealing Michael Jackson getting credit for stuff he didn't do or had alot of help with. I've been saying it for years. Not giving this man credit for writing songs for MJ that became a top selling hit its a shame.
And credit for other songs from other artists.
This man was a genius.
I was always reading the credits on the back of album covers. I had a knack for buying albums where practically every song was a hit.
Rod Tempertons name keep showing up on massive hits across the music spectrum.
What a genius.
Me to I use to study the credits just to see who was doing what
So was I: reading album credits. From the top to the bottom.
I am a songwriter, and Rod set a standard that very few people will ever be able to match. Rest in peace Rod and thank you for all THE WORKS OF ART you created in your career. Paul
Knew of him since he was a member of Heatwave in the 70s and always loved his composing and songwriting skills. Props also to lead singers, Johnnie (Rest in paradise) and Keith Wilder, the brothers of Heatwave who also wrote with him and helped find his place in Soul/R&B/Funk/Pop history. Rest in paradise Maestro Rod Temperton. You deserve a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame🙏🏽.
Mind blown! Rod Termperton is one of those names I had heard of back in the day as part of the band Heatwave, but that was it. Now we add in MJ & Off the Wall & Thriller and this legend takes a leap into outerspace. Throw in hits written for Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Rufus & Chaka, George Benson, James Ingram & Michael McDonald, Patti Austin, the Brothers Johnson, Donna Summer, Anita Baker, LL Cool J and I now have whiplash. I feel I could easily take a quarter of my favourite R&B songs, check the credits to find Rod listed there. That is an amzing (Hall of Fame) career. RIP Rod.
From one Brit to another GENIUS of a Brit.... He was simply a phenomenal song writer and he wrote a whole history of iconic lyrics and music that will go on forever. As a child born in 1971, my mum played the "Off The Wall" album to death and that was my childhood memory, music was always playing in my house. He definitely should of had a knighthood for his amazing contribution to the music industry. RIP Mr Temperton, God Bless You 🙏❤️🎶🎵He certainly DID DO GOOD!!!!
Great post! As a 73 babe, that's a very similar story to mine!
@@LeeBullenWriter thanks 73 babe Lee, Great Comment 👍
Unbelievably good songs! A fantastic writer, was Rod Temperton.. Thanks for uploading this excellent documentary.
Thanks for your comment.
His songs are the songs of my youth. So talented and gifted. His legacy to the music world is beyond words. Well done Mr Temperton! Excellent production as well...