JD Souther, Prolific Songwriter Behind Eagles Hits, Dies at 78
John David “JD” Souther, the legendary singer-songwriter who played a key role in shaping the sound of country-rock in the 1970s, has died at the age of 78. Souther passed away peacefully at his home in New Mexico on Tuesday, according to an official statement on his website. A cause of death was not provided.
Born on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Amarillo, Texas, JD Souther’s musical legacy is firmly cemented through his collaborations with some of the biggest names in rock and country music. He was known for co-writing some of the Eagles’ most enduring hits, including “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “James Dean,” and the chart-topping “Heartache Tonight,” a song he penned with Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, and Don Henley.
Souther was also deeply intertwined with the Southern California music scene, having formed a close relationship with Glenn Frey after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. The two initially teamed up in a duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle, releasing a single album in 1970. Frey would later credit Souther with introducing him to country music, a key ingredient in the Eagles’ signature sound.
In addition to his work with the Eagles, JD Souther collaborated extensively with Linda Ronstadt, penning several of her hits such as “Faithless Love,” “White Rhythm and Blues,” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” the latter featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. He also recorded multiple duets with Ronstadt, including “Prisoner in Disguise” and “If You Have Crying Eyes.” Souther’s songwriting was sought after by artists like Bonnie Raitt, who recorded his song “Run Like a Thief,” and he co-wrote “Her Town Too” with James Taylor, a hit that reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.
Despite his immense success as a songwriter, Souther also carved out a solo career. His 1972 self-titled debut album introduced his distinct voice to the public, followed by the 1976 album Black Rose, which featured his collaborative work with Ronstadt. His most successful solo hit came in 1979 with “You’re Only Lonely,” which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Souther’s work earned him a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, where he was hailed as “a principal architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.” The Eagles paid tribute to him in a heartfelt post, remembering Souther as “an extraordinary man” who was integral to their success and “will be greatly missed by many.”
Though he stepped away from the music industry for a significant period, Souther returned with his final album, Tenderness, in 2015. Reflecting on his career, Souther told Billboard that the long break was intentional. “I wanted to step off the hamster wheel for a while and just see what life is like when it’s not write, record, tour,” he said, describing those years as “blissful.”
Beyond music, JD Souther also pursued acting, appearing in television shows like Thirtysomething, Nashville, and Purgatory, as well as films such as Postcards from the Edge, My Girl 2, and Deadline.
Despite his numerous achievements, Souther remained humble about his career. In a 2016 interview with PBS, he said, “I work because I love my work, but I don’t love it more than my life.” When asked to reflect on his contribution to music, Souther credited timing, luck, and his many collaborators, including Glenn Frey, Linda Ronstadt, and Don Henley, for his success.
Souther was set to embark on a new tour with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, starting on Sept. 24 in Phoenix, which has since been canceled following the news of his passing.
JD Souther is survived by his two sisters, his former wife, her daughter, and his beloved dogs, Layla and Bob. His profound influence on the music world and his work with some of the biggest names in rock and country will continue to resonate for generations to come.