John David “JD” Souther, the influential songwriter and musician whose work significantly contributed to the country-rock genre in Southern California during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 78. Souther, known for his partnerships with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, died at his home in New Mexico, as announced on his website.
He was behind many of the Eagles’ notable hits including “Best of My Love,” “James Dean,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight.” Alongside his collaborations with the Eagles, Souther worked with music legends like James Taylor, Bob Seger, and Bonnie Raitt, and also achieved success as a solo artist. A tour with Karla Bonoff, scheduled to begin on September 24 in Phoenix, has been canceled due to his passing.
In 2013, Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he was recognized as a “principal architect of the Southern California sound” who greatly influenced a generation of musicians. He was known for his connections in the social scene and had relationships with notable figures such as Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, and Stevie Nicks, who once described him as “very male chauvinistic and very sweet.”
Born in Detroit and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Souther relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, where he met Glenn Frey from the Eagles. They began their collaboration in a band named Longbranch Pennywhistle, and Frey credited Souther with opening his eyes to country music. Following Frey’s death in 2016, Souther reflected on their time together, saying, “The music and the love are indestructible.”
His close ties to the Eagles are evident as he appeared on the back cover of their 1973 album, “Desperado,” capturing a reenactment of the Dalton Gang. Souther recalled the vibrant music scene at The Troubadour, stating it served as an educational foundation for his songwriting career and was where he met several iconic artists, including Linda Ronstadt.
Souther released his self-titled debut album in 1972 and later formed The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. His 1976 album, Black Rose, featured the duet “If You Have Crying Eyes” with Ronstadt, who was also his former girlfriend. He had other successful duets with her such as “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Hearts Against the Wind.” His biggest solo hit was “You’re Only Lonely” from his 1979 album of the same name.
Throughout his career, Souther penned songs for various artists and collaborated with notable musicians like Don Henley and Roy Orbison. He also made guest appearances on television series including “thirtysomething” and “Nashville,” and acted in films such as “Postcards from the Edge.”