John David “JD” Souther, the renowned singer and songwriter known for his collaborations with rock legends like the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has passed away at the age of 78. Souther played a pivotal role in shaping the Southern California country-rock sound of the 1970s.
According to a statement on his website, Souther died peacefully in his New Mexico home. He was about to embark on a tour with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, but unfortunately, it had to be canceled due to his passing.
In addition to his work with bands like the Eagles, Souther also found success as a solo artist. His self-titled debut album was released in 1972 and featured major hits such as “You’re Only Lonely” (1979) and “Her Town Too” (1981), a duet with James Taylor that reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Born on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Souther began his music career in Amarillo, Texas. In the mid-1960s, he moved to Los Angeles where he met Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Together they formed Longbranch Pennywhistle before collaborating on numerous hit songs for the Eagles throughout the ’70s.
Souther’s songwriting talents extended beyond just rock bands; he also wrote songs for Bonnie Raitt (“Run Like a Thief”) and Linda Ronstadt (“Faithless Love,” “White Rhythm and Blues”). He even recorded several duets with Ronstadt during their brief romantic relationship.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013. Throughout his career, he released several solo albums including “Tenderness” (2015), which was his last original release.
Outside of music, Souther dabbled in acting appearing in TV shows like “Nashville,” “Thirtysomething,” and films such as “Postcards from The Edge” (1990) and “My Girl 2” (1994).
Souther is survived by two sisters as well as his former wife and her daughter. Actress Rita Wilson paid tribute to him on social media by sharing multiple photos of them together along with heartfelt words about their friendship and admiration for each other’s work.
The passing of JD Souther marks an end to an era defined by iconic music collaborations that shaped rock history while leaving behind an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
