Remembering JD Souther

• JD Souther, the singer, songwriter and actor who co-wrote some of the biggest hits of the Eagles, like “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love,” and had a long solo career that included the top 10 hit, “You’re Only Lonely,” died Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the age of 78. No cause of death was given, but Souther was described by reps at Solters PR as dying peacefully at home in New Mexico.

Souther was about to go out for joint concert dates this fall with Karla Bonoff, another veteran of the ’70s Southern California singer-songwriter scene, and had performed as recently as five days ago.

Other songs co-written by Souther 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.” He was the sole writer of “How Long,” which he originally released as a solo artist in 1972, and covered by the Eagles in 2007. His friendship with Don Henley extended to co-writing that artist’s classic “The Heart of the Matter” and several other tracks on Henley’s solo albums.

Beyond his work with the Eagles, Souther was also closely associated with the discography of Linda Ronstadt, whom he dated in the 1970s, with the tracks she recorded, including “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Faithless Love.” He also had songs recorded by the Dixie Chicks, George Strait and Bonnie Raitt.

Souther also enjoyed an unexpected career as an actor in television and film, starting with a role on Thirtysomething in 1989. He also appeared on the first season of Nashville in 2012, along with small roles in the films Postcards From the Edge, Always, Purgatory, Deadline, and My Girl 2. Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.

For more details, may we refer you to Chris Willman‘s excellent piece in Variety. [Photo by Jim Shea]