Songwriter Who Wrote 'Thriller' Dead at 66

Anyone who's ever joyously sung, "'Cause this is THRILLER!" at a Halloween party was singing the work of Rod Temperton, though they may not have known it. And now the songwriter behind Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and more of his big hits, including "Off the Wall" and "Rock With You," has died. His family says Temperton died of cancer at age 66 in London last week, the AP reports. In addition to Jackson, Temperton had worked with Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker, and producer Quincy Jones, and was sometimes called "the invisible man" because of his work behind the scenes. (More obituary stories.)