The Eagles pay tribute to ‘brother and friend’ J. D. Souther following his death aged 78
As I sit here reminiscing about the music that shaped my teenage years, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of loss with the passing of JD Souther. His melodies and lyrics were the soundtrack to many of our lives, and his impact on the success of iconic bands like the Eagles was immeasurable.
The Eagles honored their late “colleague and musical partner,” J.D. Souther, after he passed away at the age of 78.
Born in Detroit and known for composing country-rock tunes for well-known groups like the band behind “Hotel California” and Linda Ronstadt, this influential musician died recently at his residence in New Mexico. The Eagles’ representative confirmed this news to the Los Angeles Times.
Souther’s cause and date of death was not immediately clear, according to the outlet.
The iconic band posted a heartfelt statement reflecting on the loss of their longtime 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 intelligent, gifted, knowledgeable, and had an exceptional wit. He appreciated delicious food, captivating films, and a well-made Martini, among other things. Moreover, he held a deep affection for dogs, taking in numerous canine companions throughout his life.
Growing up with the soulful melodies of Detroit and the rhythmic landscapes of Texas Panhandle, I was deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of American music. From the heartfelt strums of country tunes to the smooth improvisations of jazz, the elegant harmonies of classical pieces, and timeless gems from the Great American Songbook, my musical journey was diverse and enriching. This profound understanding and admiration for these genres have become the foundation upon which I build my work as a lifestyle expert, weaving the essence of America’s musical heritage into every aspect of life.
‘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 deeply regret his passing and extend our sympathies to his loved ones, acquaintances, and countless admirers worldwide. He was an exceptional individual whose absence will be felt profoundly by numerous people.
‘Adios, old friend. Travel well. The Eagles.’
Originally scheduled to kick off a tour in Phoenix next week was the songwriter behind Eagles classics like “New Kid in Town” (1976) and “Heartache Tonight” (1979), as well as Glenn Frey’s “Faithless Love” from 1974.
Souther, known for his solo success with “You’re Only Lonely” in 1979, was also a prolific songwriter, creating tunes for acts like the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and George Strait.
Besides his career in directing, Southern has also dabbled in acting, featuring in TV series like Nashville and Thirtysomething, along with movies like Postcards From the Edge, Deadline, and My Girl 2.
At the beginning of this year, Souther, a two-time Grammy nominee and a 2013 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, performed on stage during his January concert held at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
At the performance, as stated in the document, Souther was praised by Don Henley as being part of a close-knit circle of songwriters and vocalists.
During periods of creative blocks in the 1970s, Henley mentioned that he and his late bandmate Glenn Frey often turned to each other for help. This was when they found themselves struggling with a particular song or attempting to create something new.
Henley acknowledged Souther’s contribution by stating that he was part of the creation of three of the band’s top-charting singles.
Souther had been born in Detroit and was raised in Amarillo, Texas, the newspaper reported.
Initially making a name for himself as a jazz drummer, Souther subsequently took up the guitar and moved to Los Angeles during the late 1960s, marking the beginning of his career there.
In my line of work as a lifestyle connoisseur, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Frye, and together we formed the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle. We made our mark under this name, but alas, our musical journey came to an end in 1970 after releasing our debut album, simply titled “Longbranch Pennywhistle,” in 1969.
Souther began performing as a solo artist and dating Ronstadt, who Frey was a backup-singer for.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I found myself at the heart of an intriguing musical journey when Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner, who were initially part of Linda Ronstadt’s band, decided to branch out on their own. This splinter group eventually evolved into the iconic Eagles.
Back in 2008, I shared with a publication an intriguing tale about music titan David Geffen, who was the head of Asylum Records at that time, subtly attempting to draft me into his musical collective – or so it seemed to me.
In my own words, Southern mentioned that he had thought about it, practiced a performance, and then played this prepared set for David (Elliot Roberts) and another manager named Ron Stone, at the Troubadour on a specific afternoon. He shared this information with a newspaper.
He commented, “To be honest, barely a minute passed before I declared that the band was already excellent, and I was content to remain at home and compose. I believe they felt relief, too.
1973 saw the start of Souther’s musical journey with the Southern-Hillman-Furay Band, a group that included Chris Hillman from The Byrds and Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield. Together, they released two country-rock albums: their first self-titled album in 1974, followed by “Trouble in Paradise” in 1975.
On his own, Souther put out albums like Black Rose (1976) and You’re Only Lonely (1979). The title tracks of these records climbed to the seventh spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and number one on its adult-contemporary chart, signifying his most significant commercial triumph.
Souther explained that after the launch of his 1984 album “Home by Dawn,” he reduced his work pace because he grew disillusioned with the music industry’s focus on MTV and videos in the ’80s.
In a 2012 conversation with The New York Times, he expressed that he wasn’t particularly fond of music videos because he felt they tended to prioritize extravagant production over the genuine essence of the music.
1989 saw Souther collaborating with Henley on writing the chart-topper “The Heart of the Matter.” That same year, Souther embarked on his acting career, appearing in the film “Always,” directed by Steven Spielberg.
In my final chapters, I found myself staying engaged and busy with work, as I was scheduled for around a dozen concerts across the coming months, up until April, according to my personal website.
On Tuesday, he was scheduled to perform in Phoenix alongside singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, who is 72, with additional shows planned across California, Washington, Oklahoma, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Social media was flooded with memorials for the late musician-actor as news of his passing spread.
Stephen Bishop, who was twice nominated for a Grammy, expressed his sadness on X/Twitter about the death of his friend JD Souther. They had many shared memories, but one that particularly stuck with him was when they collaborated on a song titled ‘For Love’ in the 1980s.
Bishop went on to say, ‘Though our song remained uncompleted, we produced a demo, and I’ll always hold that shared creative endeavor dear. JD was an extraordinary artist, and the impact he made on music is beyond measure. His absence will be deeply felt, but his spirit will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew and admired him.’
He wrapped up in saying, ‘Rest in peace, my friend.’
Another user wrote, ‘RIP J D Souther while not officially a member of the Eagles. His impact on the success of the Eagles was immeasurable. A true legend that few people realize!’
Said one user, ‘J.D. Souther has passed. R.I.P., Sir. Your music will live on beyond us.’
It was mentioned by another user that JD Souther passed away, and they were deeply saddened. Among the numerous songs that resonated with our generation, one stands out – ‘Faithless Love’ from Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel album. The harmonies were simply beautiful. Quite a loss!
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 & lyrics are emotionally stirring & hauntingly beautiful.’
One user of Souther expressed, ‘Wow, your skill and that beautiful voice! I wish you continue to perform at amazing venues throughout the cosmos. Thank you for all the wonderful tunes you’ve shared with us.’
Souther is survived by a pair of sisters, an ex-wife and her daughter, according to the paper.
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2024-09-19 19:22