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    • JD Souther dead: Eagles singer-songwriter 78
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    JD Souther dead: Eagles singer-songwriter 78

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    JD Souther, an actor and famed singer-songwriter best known for his work with The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died. He was 78.

    “Acclaimed recording artist and Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee J.D. Souther passed away this past weekend at his home in New Mexico,” said a statement from Souther’s family obtained by the Amarillo Globe-News, part of the USA TODAY Network. “The Amarillo native was dearly loved by his colleagues, fellow artists, friends and fans, and was beloved by his sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.”

    John David “JD” Souther was born in Detroit and grew up in Amarillo, Texas, according to his website biography. He “remained until he dropped out of Amarillo College and headed west to Los Angeles.”

    Souther was an early friend of Eagles frontman Glenn Frey when the two met in Los Angeles shortly after they both moved to California in the mid-’60s, according to Globe-News archives. Frey and Souther formed a short-lived folk duo, Longbranch Pennywhistle. Souther later dated Ronstadt, who, at Souther’s suggestion, hired Frey and drummer Don Henley to play in Ronstadt’s backing band. There, they performed with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner — and eventually formed the core of the Eagles.

    The influential country rock band was formed in Los Angeles in 1971.

    Henley said earlier this year that Souther played a “critical role” in writing the Eagles’ two megahits, “Best of My Love” and “New Kid in Town,” among others. Souther made several appearances on stage during the band’s homecoming concert in Los Angeles earlier this year, including providing lead vocals on “New Kid in Town,” duties once handled by the late Frey.

    Other songs Souther co-wrote that appeared on Eagles albums included “Heartache Tonight”, “Victim of Love”, “James Dean”, “Doolin-Dalton”, “The Sad Cafe”, “You Never Cry Like a Lover”, “Teenage Jail” and “Last Good Time in Town”. Souther wrote “How Long”, a cover that the Eagles released in 2007 of a song he first released as a solo artist in 1972. He co-wrote Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter” and several other songs on Henley’s solo albums.

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    Souther was also involved with songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt, including “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Faithless Love.” He also worked with James Taylor (“Her Town, Too”) and the Dixie Chicks (“I’ll Take Care of You”), George Strait and Bonnie Raitt, among others.

    Souther had a long solo career, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “You’re Only Lonely.” His releases include “Tenderness,” “John David Souther,” “Black Rose,” and “Home By Dawn.”

    In the acting field, he has been involved in independent films and TV series such as “Thirtysomething”, “Postcards from the Edge” and “Nashville”.

    According to a statement on Souther’s website, Souther began recording with a local Amarillo group called The Cinders. He then traveled to nearby Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, where Buddy Holly’s producer offered their recordings to Warner Bros. for a single release under the name John David and the Cinders.

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    In 1972, he recorded his self-titled debut album, after which he formed The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with former Byrds member Chris Hillman and Poco’s Richie Furay.

    According to the statement on the website, Souther was scheduled to begin a tour with Karla Bonoff on September 24 in Phoenix.

    “Souther is survived by his two sisters, his ex-wife and her daughter, his beloved dogs Layla and Bob, and countless friends and colleagues in the music community and beyond,” the statement said. “Donations in JD’s honor may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, an organization that was very important to him.”

    “We will miss his humor, storytelling, generosity and his endless love for all of us,” the family said in a statement.

    Contributions: Bryan Alexander

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