JD Souther, the renowned singer, songwriter, and actor known for co-writing major hits for the Eagles such as “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love,” passed away on Tuesday at the age of 78. While no cause of death has been disclosed, representatives indicated that he died peacefully at his home in New Mexico.
Souther was preparing for concert dates this fall with fellow singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff and had performed just five days prior to his death.
In addition to “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love,” Souther co-wrote several other songs featured on Eagles albums, including “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim of Love,” “James Dean,” and “Doolin-Dalton.” He was also the sole writer of “How Long,” a song first released by him in 1972 and later covered by the Eagles in 2007. His friendship with Don Henley led to collaborations on Henley’s songs, including the classic “The Heart of the Matter.”
Although his solo career did not achieve the same level of fame as his work with renowned artists, Souther did reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 1979 with his hit “You’re Only Lonely,” which also topped the adult contemporary chart for five weeks. He narrowly missed a second top-10 hit with “Her Town Too,” a duet with James Taylor, which peaked at No. 11 in 1981.
Souther’s connection to the music world extended beyond the Eagles, as he was also associated with Linda Ronstadt, whose recordings included his compositions “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Faithless Love.” He wrote songs for other notable artists, including the Dixie Chicks, George Strait, and Bonnie Raitt.
Reflecting on his writing for the Eagles, Souther once remarked on the public perception of his success, saying, “Pissed off? How could I be pissed off? … One of the reasons JD didn’t have a bigger solo career is because he gave us or Linda Ronstadt most of his best songs. And that’s sort of true.”
Souther’s acting career began with a role on the television series “Thirtysomething” in 1989, and he is perhaps best remembered for his appearance in the first season of “Nashville” in 2012. He also had minor roles in various films, including “Postcards From the Edge” and “Always.”
In 2013, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His early career included a brief partnership with Glenn Frey in the group Longbranch Pennywhistle, which released a self-titled album in 1969.
As a solo artist, Souther released several albums starting with his debut in 1972 for David Geffen’s Asylum Records. Notable early albums included “You’re Only Lonely” and “Home by Dawn.” After a lengthy hiatus from recording, he returned in 2008 with an album featuring a jazz ensemble, followed by “Natural History” in 2011, and the 2015 release “Tenderness,” which was his last album.
Souther maintained friendships with many of his superstar collaborators. He reflected on his personal connections, particularly with Ronstadt, stating she was often the first to hear his new work, praising her musical acumen.
Navigating through various relationships, including those with Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks, Souther was private about how they influenced his songwriting, although he acknowledged that personal experiences often appear in his music.
He appreciated his fame and comfort levels in life, contrasting his experiences with those of his peers. Last January, he performed with the Eagles at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, expressing joy at sharing the stage with old friends.
Souther is survived by his two sisters and his former wife. In his honor, donations can be made to the Best Friends Animal Society, an organization he held dear.