Veteran Eagles hitmaker and occasional actor JD Souther has passed away at his New Mexico residence.
The 78-year-old star, recognized for penning anthems like New Kid in Town and Best of My Love, also surprised many with stints in Hollywood. The Eagles' representatives confirmed the songwriter's death to the Los Angeles Times, noting he passed away "peacefully" on Tuesday in his home.
While the cause of death is currently undisclosed, fans have been honoring JD , who enjoyed a prospering solo career as well. Tributes poured in as one fan praised him on Facebook: "One of the greats. Eagles wouldn't have made it without him," while another lamented: "Sad news. A great songwriter. May he rest in peace."
A third admirer expressed their grief, stating: "This one hurts. He was an intricate part of The Eagles without being an Eagle," and yet another acknowledged his musical talents: "So sad...JD was one of the best ever to pick up a pen and a guitar...Prayers for the whole team, and for his family, friends and fans," reports the Mirror .
Throughout his career, Souther also collaborated with Linda Ronstadt, whom he dated in the '70s, contributing songs such as Prisoner in Disguise and Faithless Love. Though widely celebrated for his collaboration with the Eagles and writing tracks like Heartache Tonight, Victim of Love, James Dean, Doolin-Dalton, The Sad Cafe, You Never Cry Like a Lover, Teenage Jail, and Last Good Time in Town, his unique contribution to the music world will be deeply missed.
Music legend JD was gearing up for a tour with Karla Bonoff and had just five days prior delivered a performance in Delaware, looking to be in high spirits. Reflecting on his tenure with the Eagles and his bond with Don Henley, he once mentioned his preference for penning tunes over fame.
"There was definitely a period of time where people would occasionally say to me, 'Doesn't it p**s you off that the Eagles have these big hits off your songs? '" JD mentioned during an interview with the Creative Independent. "I would usually start saying, 'Would you like to see the checks?"
His disdain for celebrity status was no secret, as he admitted that working behind the scenes as a songwriter came as a "relief" "It's a relief in some ways, though it also doesn't pay quite as well," he joked. JD's acting spanned TV roles in shows like Thirtysomething and Nashville and film appearances in Postcards From the Edge, Deadline, and My Girl 2.
Flooded by touching messages from fans worldwide on social platforms, the tributes illustrate the deep admiration and sadness felt. Tweets capturing this sentiment range from one admirer saying: "Another great songwriter has left us. RIP J.D. Souther. He wrote many of the biggest hits by The Eagles," to another expressing their sense of loss with, "Another piece of my musical history gone."
A simple yet profound tweet read: "You will be missed JD Souther."
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