J. D. Souther dead at 78: Singer-songwriter penned tracks for Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles

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

The Detroit-born musician, who wrote country-rock songs for popular acts including the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, died at his home in New Mexico, an Eagles spokesman told the Los Angeles Times.

According to the outlet, it is not yet clear what the cause and date of Souther’s death are.

Souther, who wrote Eagles classics such as 1976’s New Kid in Town and 1979’s Heartache Tonight and Ronstadt’s 1974 song “Faithless Love,” was scheduled to begin tour in Phoenix next week.

Souther, who had a hit of his own with 1979’s You’re Only Lonely, also wrote songs for artists such as the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and George Strait.

Singer-songwriter JD Souther, who wrote country rock songs for popular acts such as the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78. Pictured in NYC in 2018

Souther, who had a hit with You're Only Lonely, pictured in Amsterdam in 1976

Souther, who had a hit with You’re Only Lonely, pictured in Amsterdam in 1976

Souther also worked as an actor, appearing in series such as Nashville and Thirtysomething, as well as films such as Postcards From the Edge and My Girl 2.