Eagles and Linda Ronstadt songwriter JD Souther dies, aged 78

18 September 2024, 12:11

JD Souther at Farm Aid 2 in 1986. Picture: Getty Images

By Mayer Nissim

JD Souther wrote some of the Eagles' biggest songs.

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Singer-songwriter JD Souther has died at the age of 78.

Souther died at his home in New Mexico, a representative for the Eagles confirmed. He had been due to start a tour next week.

A successful musician in his own right, Souther was also well-known for his many songwriting collaborations with other artists, including the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt.

Having released music as part of a group called The Cinders in the 1960s, Souther later met future Eagles man Glenn Frey, with the two musicians becoming friends, roommates and collaborators.

They performed together as Longbranch Pennywhistle and even released a self-titled country rock album in 1970 before the duo split.

If You Have Crying Eyes

Souther went on to release a solo album and also made two records as the Souther–Hillman–Furay Band with Chris Hillman of The Byrds and Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield.

He released his second solo album Black Rose in 1976, which featured the Linda Ronstadt duet 'If You Have Crying Eyes. Souther also began to write songs for other high-profile artists.

Bonnie Raitt recorded 'Run Like a Thief' for her 1975 album Home Plate, and it was around this time that Souther wrote or co-wrote some of Eagles' biggest hits of the decade.

JD Souther in 2015. Picture: Getty Images

These songs included 'Best of My Love', 'Victim of Love', 'Heartache Tonight' and 'New Kid in Town'.

It was a relationship that continued, and Eagles even went back to an old Souther song, 'How Long', for their seventh and final studio album Long Road Out of Eden in 2007.

That song was not just written by Souther, but had even appeared on his first album John David Souther in 1972.

During his career, Souther also collaborated with Don Henley, Christopher Cross, Dan Fogelberg and James Intveld. In 1981, Souther duetted with James Taylor on the hit single 'Her Town Too', which the two men had co-written with Waddy Wachtel.

J.D. Souther - You're Only Lonely (Live at Farm Aid 1986)

Souther's biggest solo hit was the 1979 single 'You're Only Lonely', taken from the album of the same name. That song apparently not just featured his Eagles pals, but also vocal harmonies from Jackson Browne and Phil Everly.

JD married Honey Ltd. singer Alexandra Silwin in 1969, and they divorced in 1972. He had high profile relationships with fellow musicians Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks.

He also dated Judee Sill, and their breakup inspired her much-covered 'Jesus Was a Cross Maker'. Souther married Sarah Nicholson in 2004, and they divorced in 2010.