Legendary Eagles Hitmaker JD Souther Dies Just 5 Days After Performance

While producing a promising solo career, JD Souther also helped shape the careers of groups like the Eagles and singers like Linda Ronstadt. Throughout his career, the songwriter wrote hits like “Best of My Love” and “New Kid in Town.” As for his solo career, he produced songs like “Her Town Too” and “You’re Only Lonely.” Sadly, on September 17, the iconic singer/songwriter passed away at 78 years old. The heartbreaking news happened just five days after Souther performed a show in Delaware.

Although breaking into the industry during the 1960s, Souther continued to produce music and even perform on stage. He hoped to return to the road in the fall with singer Karla Bonoff. While that dream will never come true, Souther did perform recently before passing away.

Discussing his career in the spotlight and how he helped the Eagles gain numerous classic hits, Souther joked about how he felt about the band taking his hit songs. He told the Creative Independent, “There was definitely a period of time where people would occasionally say to me, ‘Doesn’t it piss you off that the Eagles have these big hits off your songs?’ I would usually start saying, ‘Would you like to see the checks?’”

JD Souther Not Looking For Fame

Glenn Frey, a member of the Eagles, even admitted that Souther would have had a massive career if he decided to keep his songs. “Pissed off? How could I be pissed off? Even Glenn Frey once said — and he was kind of joking because he knows how the royalty thing works — but he said, ‘One of the reasons JD didn’t have a bigger solo career is because he gave us or Linda Ronstadt most of his best songs.’ And that’s sort of true.”

Watching the downside of fame and how it can take over a person, Souther insisted, “The closest I got to being really famous was during the ‘You’re Only Lonely’ period, and I really didn’t like it that much, frankly. It’s a relief in some ways, though it also doesn’t pay quite as well.”

With a career spanning music and Hollywood, Souther’s legacy continues to live on through his contributions to the entertainment industry.

(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)