Tributes For JD Souther Who Co-Wrote Eagles’ ‘Heartache Tonight,’ ‘Best of My Love’
by Greg Brodsky
J.D. Souther and Glenn Frey in Longbranch Pennywhistle
JD Souther, the singer-songwriter who collaborated with Glenn Frey in the latter’s pre-Eagles days and later co-wrote three of the band’s biggest hits, died Tuesday, September 17, 2024. His death at age 78 at his home in New Mexico came one week before he was set to begin a tour with fellow singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff. The pair had 10 dates together this fall with several more already scheduled for 2025.
No cause of death has been divulged.
Tributes began arriving late Tuesday and continued the next day. Bonoff called Souther “one of the best songwriters on the planet”:
“One of my oldest and dearest friends has left us,” she wrote. “JD Souther was one of the best songwriters on the planet and influenced so much of my writing.
“He and I were just about to go out and do a tour together, We had learned each others songs and were going to be on stage together for an amazing evening. I was so excited and honored to get to play and sing his songs….
“I guess it was not meant to be, but I am incredibly grateful for the time we spent recently reconnecting, eating, laughing and reminiscing. Fly free my friend, you are dearly missed.”
Eagles posted a lengthy tribute on their website. Their complete post:
“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 in possession of a wicked sense of humor. He loved a good meal, a good movie, and a good Martini … and he loved dogs, adopting many, over the course of his lifetime. Born in Detroit and raised in the Texas Panhandle, he was a student of the deep roots of the best American music – from country, to jazz, to classical, as well as ‘Standards’ from the Great American Songbook – and that knowledge and appreciation informed his work. He was a crucial co-writer on many of our most popular songs, including, The Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” J.D. also collaborated 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 we send our condolences to his family, his friends, and his many fans around the world. He was an extraordinary man and will be greatly missed by many.
“Adios, old friend. Travel well.”
Souther’s one-time bandmate, Chris Hillman wrote, “I lost my friend, John David. A sad day that continually leaves me feeling numb. We were close and I count him as a great blessing in my life. He possessed a great sense of humor, and was one of the most intelligent people that ever crossed my path. The voice, the songs he wrote will forever be in my heart. Rest, my friend.”
In his tribute, legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb also called attention to Souther’s singing.
JD Souther embodied the songs he wrote. He had that high beautiful voice, that “make my day” attitude & the respect of the music community. He played hard, loved hard. JD used to meet me in the desert & I would take him flying in my glider. I will miss him. @JDSouther pic.twitter.com/i1LmA68EG2
— Jimmy Webb (@realjimmywebb) September 18, 2024
Fellow songwriter Stephen Bishop wrote, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of my friend JD Souther. JD and I shared many memories, but one that stands out is when we wrote a song together called ‘For Love’ back in the 1980s. Though we never finished the song, we did a demo, and I’ll forever cherish that collaboration. JD was a remarkable talent, and his contributions to music are immeasurable. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”
Jack Tempchin, who also wrote or co-wrote several Eagles songs (“Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone”) wrote, “I knew J.D. Souther for 54 years and we were best of friends all that time. It really hurts to lose him….”
From Carole King: “JD Souther was a friend, and so talented. We’ll miss him.”
From producer Peter Asher: “JD was one of my oldest and dearest friends and I shall miss him more than words can say. We very much enjoyed working together (the Black Rose album, ‘Her Town Too’ and so many great Linda Ronstadt tracks) and just hanging out together – for many years I would stay with him (and his beloved dogs) whenever I had occasion to be in Nashville and he was a frequent resident of our little guest house here at home in Malibu.
“Above all, JD was a sublimely imaginative composer and lyricist – musically sophisticated and poetically inspired. I see his work as a modern extension of the Great American Songbook from earlier decades (which he so much admired) and I was delighted when I was invited to induct him into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame – a well-deserved honour of which he was ineffably and uniquely proud. And with good reason! In my view, the bridge of ‘Faithless Love’ alone deserves an award all to itself – along with so many other brilliant songs.”
Photographer Henry Diltz wrote, “Another dear friend and great songwriter has joined the party on the other side. JD Souther was such a big part of the LA music scene with the Eagles, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt. We’ll see him over there again one day, I’m convinced.”
Album cover designer Kosh wrote, “Sending light and love to his next journey.”
Before he was co-writing #1 Eagles hits like “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight” with Frey and Don Henley, Souther formed Longbranch Pennywhistle with Frey when they were roommates. Their downstairs neighbor was Jackson Browne, who took Souther to audition for his boss, David Geffen, who’d recently formed the Asylum Records label. After hearing two songs, Geffen told Souther to “go make a record.”
Related: Our Album Rewind of Longbranch Pennywhistle
John David Souther arrived in 1971. Co-produced by Souther and Fred Catero (who had recently finished Santana’s Abraxas), John David Souther featured 10 originals, many of which would be covered by artists like Bonnie Raitt (“Run Like a Thief”) and Eagles, who later released “How Long” as the first single from their 2007 comeback and multi-platinum smash, Long Road Out of Eden.
After his debut, Souther worked with Chris Hillman (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers) and Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) in the short-lived Souther Hillman Furay Band.
Five years after John David Souther, Black Rose appeared. Helmed by Peter Asher, the album included appearances by Lowell George (Little Feat), Joe Walsh, Waddy Wachtel, Jim Keltner, Andrew Gold, Russ Kunkel, Donald Byrd and Stanley Clarke—with David Crosby, Art Garfunkel, Henley and Frey adding their voices. Linda Ronstadt had previously recorded “Faithless Love” on her Heart Like a Wheel album, and would tackle “Simple Man, Simple Dream” in 1977. (Ronstadt, who dated Souther for some time, recorded 10 of his tracks, a relationship that began with his production on her 1973 album Don’t Cry Now, also named for a Souther composition.)
Souther’s biggest hit as a solo artist was “You’re Only Lonely,” the title track from his 1979 album. The single topped the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #7 on the Hot 100. Best Classic Bands recently reviewed a 2024 expanded edition of the album.
Souther’s many other compositions include “The Heart of the Matter,” which he co-wrote with Henley and the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell, and “Her Town Too,” with James Taylor. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Related: Musicians we’ve lost in 2024
9 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWhat a talent, and what a loss. He will be missed, for sure. RIP, Mr. Souther.
“Simple man, simple dreams”: one of the most heart moving songs ever.
He was a fantastic talent, a song writer, producer, singer, and musician. He gave so much to music and to his fans. He is going to be missed by the world at large. May he rest peacefully and may his friends and family find comfort in all their memories and in his music.
“You’re Only Lonely” is the best Roy Orbison song that Orbison never wrote or sang (how did he not cover it?). Incredible singer and writer-Souther will be missed.
Are you sure Orbison didn’t cover that?
JD Souther was deeply felt by me
I used to sing Faithless love when I drove around in my old baby blue Plymouth Fury and loved all his collaborations with Eagles members and Rondstadt
In Sept 1972 I saw JD Souther, Jackson Browne and the Eagles at the Felt Forum in NYC. End of show JD and Jackson joined the Eagles for a reply of “Take it Easy” all for $7.50. Those were the days.
What a great talent and one of the greatest songwriters of the last 55 years. He was a true intellectual who told great stories. Everybody enjoyed his wit and humor. RIP JD.
JD grew up in Amarillo, same city and high school as myself. City is proud of him and condolences to his family.