Amarillo Music Icon J.D. Souther Passes Away

Seventies singer-songwriter JD Souther has died. Souther was famous for collaborating with The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and other country-rock stars of the era. He co-wrote several big hits for the Eagles, including “Best of My Love,” “New Kid In Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” He also had a solo career that included the 1979 top ten hit, “You’re Only Lonely.” In 2013, Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His representatives say JD Souther died peacefully Tuesday at his home in New Mexico at age 78. No cause of death was given.

Souther was born on November 2, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, but raised in Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from  Tascosa High School and attended Amarillo College.  His first recordings were with a local group called The Cinders, who traveled to the nearby Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. Their first 45 rpm record was released on the small RIC label in 1965. The following year, Norman Petty successfully shopped their recordings to Warner Brothers Records for a second single release under the name John David and The Cinders.

After moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, Souther met musician and songwriter Glenn Frey. They became roommates and musical collaborators, and briefly performed as a folk duo using the name Longbranch Pennywhistle. Their lone eponymous album was released in 1970 on Jimmy Bowen’s Amos Records.

After recording an eponymous solo studio album in 1972, Souther formed the Souther–Hillman–Furay Band with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay. The group released two albums but creative tensions led to the band’s demise.