He was 66.
Temperton was working in an English frozen fish factory in the mid-1970s when he started his career in the funk band Heatwave as its keyboardist.
Temperton wrote the band's two biggest hits "Boogie Nights" and the ballad "Always and Forever."
The band's lineup included Dayton brothers Keith Wilder and the late Johnnie Wilder Jr., the band's lead singer.
Johnnie Wilder Jr. died at his home in Clayton in 2006 following a car accident. He was 56.
>> RELATED: 8 Dayton acts you should give a funk about
Temperton's work with Heatwave attracted the attention of Motown owner Quincy Jones. Temperton wrote some of Michael Jackson's biggest hits including "Thriller," "Off the Wall," "Rock with You."
He collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker.
Temperton was nominated for an Oscar as a co-writer of “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister),” from the soundtrack of “The Color Purple.”
Artifacts from Heatwave are on display at the Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center inside of the Dayton Metro Library’s Northwest Branch at 2410 Philadelphia Drive.
>> RELATED: Is Dayton letting funk music die?
About the Author
