Rod Temperton, the British songwriter best known for Michael Jackson's Thriller and Rock With You, has died, reports BBC.

In a statement, Jon Platt, chairman of music publisher Warner/Chappell, said he died in London last week at the age of 66 following "a brief aggressive battle with cancer".

His other songs included Off The Wall, Give Me The Night, Sweet Freedom, Always & Forever and Boogie Nights.

"His family is devastated and request total privacy," Mr Platt said.