[1947 - 2016] Coming from the unlikely location of Humberston in Lincolnshire, Rod was one of the best known songwriters in the World, penning songs for George Benson, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Michael McDonald, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, James Ingram, Mica Paris and Heatwave (with whom he was a member). Rod started out his music career on keyboards with UK band The Hammer.