JD Souther, the singer-songwriter who wrote songs with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died. He was 78.
Souther died peacefully at his home in New Mexico, according to his representative. The cause of death was not given. He was about to embark on a tour with Karla Bonoff.
Souther, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, was responsible for some of the Eagles' biggest hits, including “Best of My Love,” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight” and “New Kid in Town.” “How Long.” With Ronstadt, he wrote and duetted on the classic songs “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can't Win” and “Hearts Against the Wind.” He also had a successful solo career and wrote the hit songs “You're Only Lonely” and “Her Town Too,” the latter a duet with Taylor.
Born John David Souther on November 2, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in Amarillo, Texas. He began playing in the local Amarillo scene and his first band was The Cinders, who released a single under the name John David and The Cinders in 1965.
Souther moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, where he met and befriended Glenn Frey. Souther and Frey would become roommates and musical collaborators and would form the country rock band Longbranch Pennywhistle, originally performing under the name John David & Glenn, before other members joined the group. Longbranch Pennywhistle released a self-titled album in 1969 on Jimmy Bowen's Amos Records label.
The friendship with Frey would see Souther join a circle of friends and creative collaborators that included Don Henley and Linda Ronstadt, and he himself suggested him as a possible member of the Eagles. Although he never joined the band, Souther worked closely with the Eagles and co-wrote some of their most famous songs. From the Eagles' 26x platinum album Hotel CaliforniaSouther co-wrote the songs “New Kid in Town” and “Victim of Love.” On the 1974 album At the borderSouther co-wrote “You Never Cry Like a Lover”, “Best of My Love” and “James Dean”. And on the 1979 album The long runSouther co-wrote three songs, including the No. 1 single “Heartache Tonight.”
In the early 1970s, Souther dated singer Linda Ronstadt and co-wrote a number of songs for her and also co-produced her 1973 album Don't cry now. For Ronstadt's next album, Heart like a wheelSouther wrote the song “Faithless Love.” He duetted with Ronstadt many times, including the songs “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can't Win,” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” the latter of which was featured in the 1980 film Urban cowboy.
Another collaborator was James Taylor, and the duo had a major hit with the 1981 song “Her Town Too,” which reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The 1970s were a busy and creative time for Souther. In addition to his work with the Eagles and Ronstadt, he was also a member of the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, with former Byrds member Chris Hillman and Poco's Richie Furay.
Although he is known for his collaborations with some of the biggest country rock stars of all time, Souther has also had a successful solo career. His self-titled debut album was released in 1972 on David Geffen's Asylum Records and featured the songs “Run Like a Thief” which was later covered by Bonnie Raitt on her album Home base as well as the single “How Long” which was regularly covered by the Eagles during live shows and later included on the band's 2007 album The long road out of Eden.
Souther scored his biggest solo hit with “You're Only Lonely,” from his 1979 self-titled album. The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In all, Souther has released eight solo albums and one live album. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
In addition to music, Souther also dabbled in acting. He made sporadic appearances on television, including the shows Thirty years old, Nashville AND Purgatory just like the movies Postcards from the edge, My Girlfriend 2 AND Expiration.
Souther leaves behind two sisters, his ex-wife and her daughter.