John David “JD” Souther, a prolific songwriter and musician who played a pivotal role in crafting the country-rock sound of Southern California in the 1970s, passed away at age 78. Souther, renowned for his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, died on Tuesday at his home in New Mexico, as announced on his website.
Souther significantly influenced the Eagles’ success, co-writing some of their most iconic songs such as “Best of My Love,” “James Dean,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight.” His extensive collaborations didn’t end there; he also worked with musical legends like James Taylor, Bob Seger, and Bonnie Raitt, and enjoyed a successful solo career. His planned tour with Karla Bonoff, which was set to commence on September 24 in Phoenix, has now been canceled.
In 2013, Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he was hailed as “a principal architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.” Beyond his professional achievements, he was an integral part of the social fabric of the era, with notable relationships with Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, and Stevie Nicks, who once described him as “very, very, very male chauvinistic and very sweet and cute and wonderful but very Texas.”
Born in Detroit and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Souther moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. There, he met Glenn Frey, a fellow Michigander and founding member of the Eagles. Together, they formed a bond that began with the band Longbranch Pennywhistle, and Souther is credited with introducing Frey to country music. Reflecting on Frey’s death in 2016, Souther expressed, “Our first year together will always seem like yesterday to me. His amazing capacity for the big joke and that brilliant groove that lived inside him are with me, even now, in this loss and sorrow… The music and the love are indestructible.”
Souther’s close association with the Eagles was evident when he appeared on the back cover of their 1973 album “Desperado,” re-enacting the capture of the legendary Dalton Gang. He fondly recalled his beginnings with Frey at The Troubadour, a renowned West Hollywood music club, calling it “the best study in songwriting I can imagine.” The Troubadour was a hub for some of the era’s greatest songwriters, including Laura Nyro, Kris Kristofferson, and Randy Newman, among many others.
In addition to his collaborations, Souther embarked on his own musical journey. He released his self-titled debut album in 1972 and later formed The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman of the Byrds and Richie Furay of Poco. His 1976 solo album, “Black Rose,” featured a duet with Ronstadt, his former girlfriend, titled “If You Have Crying Eyes.” They also collaborated on other duets like “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can’t Win,” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” the latter appearing in the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy.”
Souther’s solo career reached its zenith with the 1979 hit “You’re Only Lonely,” from the album of the same name. Among his other notable compositions are “Run Like a Thief” for Bonnie Raitt and “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues” for Ronstadt. He also teamed up with James Taylor on “Her Town Too,” and collaborated with artists such as Don Henley, Christopher Cross, Dan Fogelberg, and Roy Orbison.
Beyond his musical accomplishments, Souther ventured into acting, appearing in TV shows like “thirtysomething,” “Nashville,” and “Purgatory,” and films such as “Postcards from the Edge,” “My Girl 2,” and “Deadline.”
