close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Prolific singer-songwriter behind hits of legendary rock band dies at age 78
news

Prolific singer-songwriter behind hits of legendary rock band dies at age 78

JD Souther, a prolific singer-songwriter who helped write some of the biggest hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, died Tuesday morning at the age of 78.

Souther died peacefully at his home in New Mexico, according to a statement on his personal website. No cause of death has been released. Souther performed just five days ago and was scheduled to begin a tour with Karla Bonoff on September 24.

John David “JD” Souther was born on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, but grew up in Amarillo, Texas. He would later co-write some of The Eagles’ biggest hits, including “New Kid in Town,” “Best of My Love,” and “Victim of Love.” Some of his biggest collaborations with Linda Ronstadt include “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues.” His work helped forge the popular country-rock sound that emerged in Southern California in the 1970s.

In addition to his work as a songwriter, Souther continued his solo career, with hits such as “You’re Only Lonely” in 1979 and “Her Town Too” in 1981, the latter a duet with his good friend James Taylor.

As an actor, Souther has had a role in the third season of the TV drama “Thirtysomething” and a recurring role in the first and fifth seasons of the country music drama “Nashville.”

Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.

Related news:

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today NJ.com.

Murjani Rawls can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter via @MurjaniRawls.