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John David “JD” Souther, the singer-songwriter who collaborated with the likes of the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and more on several classic songs, died Tuesday (Sept. 17). He was 78 years old.
According to representatives, he passed away peacefully at his home in New Mexico. No cause of death was given.
The Detroit, Michigan-born, Amarillo, Texas-raised artist was best known for his partnership with the Eagles' founding frontman Glenn Frey, with whom he briefly formed a band called Longbranch Pennywhistle in the late 1960s in Los Angeles, California. Souther would go on to contribute to some of the Eagles’ greatest hits, co-writing songs like 'Best of My Love', 'James Dean', 'New Kid in Town', 'Doolin-Dalton', 'Heartache Tonight' and more.
Throughout his career, he also collaborated with acts like James Taylor, featuring on his 'Her Town Too', Linda Ronstadt, penning tunes like her 'Faithless Love' and 'White Rhythm and Blues', as well as Bonnie Raitt, writing her 'Run Like a Thief'.
Souther also found success as a solo artist, securing his biggest hit with 1979's 'You’re Only Lonely'.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, an institution that declared him “a principal architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.”
Beginning Sept. 24, Souther was to embark on a fall tour alongside fellow singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, the dates of which will be cancelled, per the late artist's official website.
