My encounter with Rod Temperton
Entry posted by peteraltongreen
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Today ( 3rd March,2011),I heard from an old friend that a local bass player (Hull, East Yorkshire,U.K. ) had passed away at about 63 years old.When I hear news like this,I generally think over how our lives interacted.Stan Saye was the bass player in a local band called the Hammer.I made a couple of records with this outfit,before Stan was a member.When the original band split up,it reformed with Stan,singer John Parker,Another John on drums,and probably,most importantly,Rod Temperton on Keys.This unit toured the U.S.Airforce bases in Germany,and there,Rod met Johnny Wilder,whose band , Johnny Wilder's Chicago Heatwave,recruited him into their ranks.My next encounter was at Fairview studios,near the city of Hull in 1973/4 time,when Rod & Heatwave arrived to put down the demo's that would lead to their hit records,and international recognition for Rod.The sessions went very well.They were well rehearsed,so a minimum of retakes were necessary,when we had the sound balance.To hear song like 'Boogie Nights','Always & Forever' going down onto tape was a thrill I'll never forget.The demo's were every bit as good as the released versions.I remember talking to Rod,and him saying to me that when he gets to America,he's going to find Quincy Jones,and work with him.Glenn,a friend & I told Rod about a knockout U.S. band called 'Seawind' we were big fans of,and played him some tracks.Later,Rod used the Seawind Horns on some of his American stuff.Was that us ? I wonder.My big mistake was not joining the band when Clay,their New York guitar player quit,and I was asked to join.I was about to get married,and couldn't commit myself to touring.So,what was Rods biggest hit ? Thriller,by Michael Jackson,as well as hits for George Benson,Patty Austin,Bob James,Michael MacDonald,film music for the Color Purple to start with.Rod's still writing & producing great music.If this sound far fetched,remember,people generally are not born famous,and their lives touch others on their way up.I am grateful for my encounters with both Stan & Rod.
Peter Alton Green.
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