Rod Temperton, a British-born musician and songwriter with a singular knack for pop-funk who wrote the Michael Jackson classics Thriller, Rock With You and many other hits, has died of cancer in London at 66.

His music publisher said in a statement on Wednesday Temperton had died last week of an "aggressive" cancer. No other details were provided.

Jon Platt of Warner/Chappell said Temperton was the sole writer of Thriller, Off the Wall, Rock with You and other major songs.

Temperton started his career in the disco band Heatwave and collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker and many others.

He was best known as a songwriter and worked closely with producer Quincy Jones on groundbreaking tracks for Jackson's mega-selling Off the Wall and Thriller albums.

Mr Platt said Temperton was sometimes known as "the invisible man" for his behind-the-scenes role.

Temperton was a native of the seaside town of Cleethorpes, 290 kilometres north of London.

Source : AFP