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JD Souther, the singer-songwriter whose co-written songs became part of the Eagles’ defining catalog, died in New Mexico on September 17, 2024, at age 78. He was a close collaborator of the band, not an official member. His career also included solo hits, songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, and acting.
Who was JD Souther?
John David “JD” Souther was born in Detroit on November 2, 1945, raised in Amarillo, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, according to his official biography. He became a singer-songwriter and actor associated with the country-rock and Southern California music scenes of the 1970s.
Souther’s career moved between two closely linked roles: recording songs under his own name and writing with or for other performers. He released his self-titled solo debut in 1972, and in 1973 formed the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay. He also appeared in film and television, including ABC’s Nashville.
What Eagles songs did JD Souther co-write?
Souther co-wrote several songs recorded by the Eagles, including “The Best of My Love,” “James Dean,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Doolin-Dalton.” He also co-wrote “Heartache Tonight” with Bob Seger, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley. The Eagles’ September 18, 2024 memorial called him a “crucial co-writer” on “The Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight.”
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Those songs mark distinct points in the band’s history. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum says “The Best of My Love” became the Eagles’ first No. 1 hit in 1975, while “Heartache Tonight” became their last chart-topper of the 1970s in 1979. The band later chose “How Long,” an older Souther composition, as the first single from its 2007 album Long Road Out of Eden.The museum’s profile places Souther’s work within the close songwriting relationships that shaped the period.
Was JD Souther in the Eagles?
No. Souther was a close friend and collaborator of Glenn Frey and a consequential co-writer for the Eagles, but he was not an official band member. The distinction matters: his influence on the group came through songwriting and creative partnership rather than membership in its lineup.
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Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said Souther “was happy to co-write ‘New Kid in Town’ and ‘Best of My Love’ with his friends the Eagles.” Young also described his broader place in the music as: “He wasn’t a star of country-rock, but he was crucial to its enduring power.”
What was JD Souther’s biggest solo hit?
“You’re Only Lonely,” the title track of Souther’s 1979 album, was his biggest solo hit. It reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year, according to both his official biography and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
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His solo catalog began with John David Souther in 1972. His final album of original material, Tenderness, appeared in 2015; expanded editions of early solo albums, including You’re Only Lonely, have also been released, as noted in his official biography.
Which other artists recorded or performed with him?
Souther wrote songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt, including “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues.” Ronstadt’s 1974 album Heart Like a Wheel included “Faithless Love.” Souther also recorded duets with Ronstadt and collaborated with James Taylor on “Her Town Too,” which his official biography says reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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His credits and vocal contributions also connected him with Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Christopher Cross, Dan Fogelberg, and Roy Orbison. That range helps explain why his career cannot be reduced to either his solo recordings or his Eagles co-writes: he was a songwriter and collaborator whose work crossed artists and projects.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did JD Souther die?
Souther died in New Mexico on September 17, 2024, at age 78. His official biography and the Eagles’ memorial do not state a cause of death, so one cannot be confirmed from those accounts.
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The Eagles’ memorial said: “We have lost a brother, a friend and a brilliant collaborator, and the world has lost a great songwriter, a pioneer of the Southern California sound that emerged in the 1970s.” Souther’s own concise measure of a song’s staying power, quoted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, was: “Good music,” he explained, “really lasts a long time.”
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