Remembering JD Souther A Musical Legend Passes Away

John David “JD” Souther, a celebrated songwriter known for creating hits with the Eagles, James Taylor, and Linda Ronstadt, has sadly passed away at the age of 78. He died peacefully at home in New Mexico, as reported by his representatives. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Souther grew up in Amarillo, Texas. In the late 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles, where he formed a strong partnership with Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Together, they briefly formed a band called Longbranch Pennywhistle, which released an album in 1970.

Throughout the 1970s, Souther wrote many songs for the Eagles, including classics like “Best of My Love,” “James Dean,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Doolin-Dalton.” He co-wrote “Heartache Tonight” with Frey, Bob Seger, and Don Henley. This song became the Eagles’ last number one hit in 1979.

Souther began his solo career with his self-titled debut album in 1972. He later formed The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay. His second solo album, Black Rose, was released in 1976 and included a duet with Linda Ronstadt called “If You Have Crying Eyes.”

His biggest solo hits included “You’re Only Lonely,” which reached number seven on the charts in 1979, and “Her Town Too,” a duet with James Taylor in 1981. Souther also wrote songs for Bonnie Raitt and collaborated with Ronstadt on several tracks.

Acting Career

In addition to music, Souther appeared in TV shows like Thirtysomething and Nashville, and films such as Postcards from the Edge and My Girl 2.Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, Souther was celebrated as a key figure in the Southern California music scene. He once reflected on his career, stating, “I work because I love my work, but I don’t love it more than my life.” After taking a break from music, he returned to create four more albums, reigniting his passion for songwriting.JD Souther’s music and contributions will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the songs he wrote and the artists he inspired.