The Eagles pay tribute to ‘brother and friend’ J. D. Souther following his death aged 78

The Eagles have paid tribute to their ‘brother and collaborator’ JD Souther following his passing at the age of 78.

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

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

The iconic band released a heartfelt statement reflecting on the loss of their dear friend.

They wrote: ‘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.

“J.D. Souther was smart, talented, well-read, and had a devilish sense of humor. He loved a good meal, a good movie, and a good Martini … and he loved dogs, many of which he adopted over the course of his life.

‘He was born in Detroit and grew up in the Texas Panhandle. He was a student of the deep roots of the best American music – from country to jazz to classical, and also the ‘Standards’ of the Great American Songbook – and that knowledge and appreciation have informed his work.

‘He was a key co-writer on many of our most popular songs, including The Best of My Love, New Kid in Town and Heartache Tonight. JD also worked on many of Don Henley’s solo works, including The Heart of the Matter, Little Tin God, If Dirt Were Dollars and Talking to the Moon.

“We mourn his loss and offer our condolences to his family, friends and many fans around the world. He was an extraordinary man and will be deeply missed by many.

‘Adios, old friend. Travel well. The Eagles.’

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.

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

Souther, who has been nominated for a Grammy twice and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, took the stage earlier this year during a January concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

During the show, Souther was praised by Don Henley as one of the “tight-knit community of songwriters and singers,” according to the newspaper.

Henley said he and his late bandmate Glenn Frey relied on the band during creative dips in the 1970s “when we were stuck on a song or trying to come up with new material.”

Henley indicated that Souther was involved in the production of three of the band’s number one singles.

Souther was born in Detroit and grew up in Amarillo, Texas, the newspaper reported.

After beginning his career in music as a jazz drummer, Souther took up guitar, eventually moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s.

There he met Frye and the duo began performing under the name Longbranch Pennywhistle. In 1969 they released a self-titled album, after which they split in 1970.

Souther began performing as a solo artist and had a relationship with Ronstadt, for whom Frey was a backup singer.

Ronstadt’s band would expand to include future Eagles members Henley, guitarist Bernie Leadon, and bassist Randy Meisner. The quartet split off and formed the group.

Southern the newspaper told in 2008 that music mogul David Geffen (then owner of the record label Asylum) ‘sort of’ tried to recruit him for the band.

‘I thought about it, and we rehearsed a set and played it for David [and Eagles managers] “Elliot Roberts and Ron Stone one afternoon at the Troubadour,” Souther told the newspaper.

He added: ‘Honestly, it only took me a minute to say, no, the band was already exceptional, and I was very happy to stay home and write. I think they were relieved too.’

Souther began performing in 1973 in the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman of The Byrds and Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield. Together they released a duo of country-rock records: their self-titled debut album in 1974 and Trouble in Paradise in 1975.

As a solo artist, Souther released albums such as Black Rose in 1976 and You’re Only Lonely in 1979. The album’s title track reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the adult contemporary chart. It was Souther’s greatest commercial success.

Souther said he began slowing down after the release of his 1984 record Home by Dawn, amid dissatisfaction with the music industry’s emphasis on MTV and music videos at the time.

“I wasn’t a big fan of music videos because I felt they encouraged an overabundance of production rather than a real focus on the core of the music,” he said in an interview with The New York Times.

Souther helped Henley write the hit The Heart of the Matter in 1989, a year in which he also made his acting debut in Steven Spielberg’s film Always.

Souther had remained professionally active in his final years, as he was scheduled to perform at a dozen concert dates through April of the following year, according to his website.

He had a performance scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, 72, and other appearances in California, Washington, Oklahoma, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Texas.

As news of his passing spread, social media was filled with memorial messages for the late musician and actor.

Two-time Grammy nominee Stephen Bishop posted on X/Twitter: “I am heartbroken to hear that my friend JD Souther has passed away. JD and I shared many memories, but one that stands out is when we wrote a song together called For Love in the 80’s.

Bishop continued, “Although we never finished the song, we did make a demo and I will always cherish that collaboration. JD was a remarkable talent and his contributions to music are immeasurable. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”

He ended his story with the words, “Rest in peace, my friend.”

Another user wrote: ‘RIP JD Souther even though he is not officially a member of the Eagles. His impact on the success of the Eagles was immeasurable. A true legend that few realize!’

One user said: ‘JD Souther has passed away. RIP sir. Your music will live on after us.’

Another user said: ‘Oh man! JD Souther passed away. Oh my god. One of his many songs that my generation sang along to is Faithless Love on Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel album. Beautiful. His harmonies. Ooof!’

One user called Souther “a brilliant songwriter, as well as an exceptional singer,” adding, “His “You’re Only Lonely” is a magnificent composition whose melody and lyrics are emotionally gripping and hauntingly beautiful.”

A user of Souther said: ‘What a talent – and what a voice. I hope you continue to sing in some great club in the universe. Thanks for all the songs.’

According to the newspaper, Souther is survived by two sisters, an ex-wife and her daughter.