In the 1970s, “Heatwave,” a band from Germany, charted such international R&B hit singles as “Boogie Nights,” “Always and Forever,” and “The Groove Line.”  The three songs, and many other of the group’s compositions, were written in by Rod Temperton.  He was originally from England but moved to Germany, where he became Heatwave’s keyboardist.

Rod Temperton was richly rewarded, when in August of 1979 all three of his songs appeared on Jackson’s fifth studio album, titled “Off the Wall.”  The Quincy Jones’ produced album became one of pop music’s bestselling LPs of all times.  It is a 10-time platinum masterpiece, which yielded the single  “Rock with You,” a No. 1 hit for Jackson that spent four consecutive weeks at the top of the charts in 1979.