Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Remembering the Great JD Souther, 78, Writer of Hits for Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, James Taylor

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John David Souther was 78 and a giant in west coast rock and roll. He wrote so many hits for the Eagles, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and himself. What a shame to report he’s gone.

I was lucky to meet JD a long time ago with his great friend, the actress Mary Kay Place. He was a legend in the rock world as the author of so many monster hits.

The Eagles’ “Best of My Love” was actually the song that broke the group out. He also wrote two other Eagles classics, “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid In Town.”

Souther’s duet with James Taylor on “Her Town, Too” was a left field smash, especially because it made it sound like they were talking about Carly Simon, Taylor’s ex.

On his own, JD had a number 1 hit with “You’re Only Lonely.”

Some fans of the TV show, “thirtysomething,” will remember him as inspired casting as the teacher Hope Steadman sort of falls for during her pregnancy.

No cause of death has been given. But condolences to his many fans, friends, and family. JD Souther is an important name in pop history, like Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon. He will be sorely missed.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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