Country-Rock Pioneer JD Souther Dies at 78

John David "JD" Souther, a key figure in the 1970s Southern California country-rock scene, died Tuesday at his New Mexico home. He was 78. Souther was renowned for his contributions to some of the Eagles' greatest hits, including "Best of My Love" and "Heartache Tonight." He was also a prominent collaborator with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Bob Seger, and enjoyed solo success.

Born in Detroit and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Souther moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. There, he formed a partnership with Glenn Frey of the Eagles, leading to the establishment of the band Longbranch Pennywhistle and significantly influencing the Southern California sound. Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, with the organization referencing him as "a principal architect" of that era's music scene.

Souther's solo career began with his self-titled 1972 album, and his biggest hit, "You're Only Lonely," came in 1979. He also recorded notable duets with Ronstadt, including "If You Have Crying Eyes." He had been set to tour with Karla Bonoff starting September 24 in Phoenix. Beyond music, Souther acted in series like thirtysomething and films such as Postcards from the Edge. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)