Michael Jackson's Thriller songwriter Rod Temperton dies after cancer battle

Prolific songwriter Rod Temperton has died at the age of 66. The musician, best known for writing Michael Jackson's classic single Thriller, passed away in London last week after a "brief aggressive battle with cancer". Jon Platt, chairman and chief executive of Warner/Chappell, said in a statement: "His family is devastated and request total privacy at this, the saddest of sad times." Temperton's funeral has already taken place and was a private affair, Platt revealed.