The singer, songwriter, and actor JD Souther, who had a lengthy solo career that included the top 10 smash “You’re Only Lonely,” passed away on Tuesday at 78. Souther co-wrote several of the Eagles’ most significant successes, including “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love.” Although a cause of death was not stated, representatives at Solters PR said he passed away quietly at home in New Mexico.
JD Souther Cause of Death:
The singer-songwriter JD Souther, who collaborated on songs with Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, has passed away. He was eighty-eight.
Souther’s representative stated that he passed away quietly at home in New Mexico. The reason for death was not stated. Karla Bonoff and him were preparing to go on tour.
Known for penning some of the Eagles’ most fantastic singles, such as “Best of My Love,” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid in Town,” Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “For How Long?” He co-wrote and sang the iconic songs “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can’t Win,” and “Hearts Against the Wind” with Ronstadt. Along with having a prosperous solo career, he wrote the hits “You’re Only Lonely” and “Her Town Too,” the latter of which was a duet with Taylor.
JD Souther: Who was He?
He was reared in Amarillo, Texas, after being born John David Souther in Detroit, Michigan, on November 2, 1945. His first band, The Cinders, recorded a single in 1965 under the name John David and The Cinders. He began performing in the local Amarillo scene.
In the late 1960s, Souther relocated to Los Angeles, where he eventually became friends with and met Glenn Frey. The country rock group Longbranch Pennywhistle was founded by Souther and Frey, who would later live together and work together musically. The band first played as John David & Glenn before adding additional members. 1969 saw the release of a self-titled album by Longbranch Pennywhistle under Jimmy Bowen’s Amos Records label.
Thanks to his acquaintance with Frey, Souther was introduced as a potential Eagles member and joined a group of friends and creative partners, including Don Henley and Linda Ronstadt. Despite never really joining the group, Souther collaborated extensively with the Eagles, co-writing some of their best-known hits. The Eagles songs “New Kid in Town” and “Victim of Love” are co-written by Souther and are from the album Hotel California, which has sold 26 times platinum. Souther co-wrote “You Never Cry Like a Lover,” “Best of My Love,” and “James Dean” for the 1974 album On the Border. Additionally, Souther co-wrote three tracks, including the No. 1 single “Heartache Tonight” for the 1979 album The Long Run.
When Souther started dating singer Linda Ronstadt in the early 1970s, he co-produced her 1973 album Don’t Cry Now and co-wrote many songs for her. Souther composed “Faithless Love” for Ronstadt’s Heart Like a Wheel, her follow-up album. He frequently collaborated with Ronstadt on songs, such as “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can’t Win,” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” the latter of which was used in the Urban Cowboy movie from 1980.
James Taylor was another collaborator, and the two had a lot of success with the 1981 song “Her Town Too,” which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
For Souther, the 1970s were a busy and productive period. With Chris Hillman, a former member of the Byrds, and Richie Furay of Poco, he formed The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band in addition to his work with the Eagles and Ronstadt.
Souther has a solid solo career in addition to his collaborations with some of the biggest names in country rock history. His self-titled debut album, released in 1972 by David Geffen’s Asylum Records, included the single “How Long,” which the Eagles frequently covered live and later appeared on the band’s 2007 album Long Road Out of Eden, and “Run Like a Thief,” which Bonnie Raitt eventually covered on her album Home Plate.
The song “You’re Only Lonely” from the eponymous 1979 album became Souther’s most significant solo success. The song reached position seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Souther released one live album and eight solo albums.
