Sad news today a musician from my youth in the 60s has died.
As an old fart my musical taste ran to the folk singer side of things in the beginning….Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul and Mary, Dylan, et al….JD Souther was one of those voices that I will always remember because it was so soulful.
When we listen to music, we tend not to look past the name of the artist and the name of the song. That means there can be an assortment of people who worked on the track whose contributions may evade you. It’s not uncommon to have songwriters help out on a track, shaping a hit that is somebody out there’s favorite of all time. In the case of JD Souther, he had credits on a bunch that can be considered all-timers, especially if you’re a fan of the monumental American rock band the Eagles. But sadly, he is now no longer with us…
Establishing himself as a Southern California songwriting legend, JD collaborated with the aforementioned Eagles as well as the likes of Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. He was also a solo artist, best known for the track You’re Only Lonely.
After forming the band Longbranch Pennywhistle in the ’60s, one of its members Glenn Frey went on to form the Eagles in 1971. JD may not have come aboard as an official band member, but that doesn’t mean his impact on the group wasn’t important.
He worked on some of the band’s tracks including James Dean, Best Of My Love, and New Kid In Town. His songwriting also contributed to the classic song Heartache Tonight, which became a significant hit and cemented the band as rock titans.
He produced Linda’s fourth album, Don’t Cry Now, credited as a writer on a handful of the songs, and then there’s his work on James’ Her Town, Too.
Evidence of his creativity and passion for music was evident throughout that time, as he was also in the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band; this was made up of the Byrds’ Chris Hillman and Poco’s Richie Furay.
Tributes are already surfacing fast online, with fans sharing the music that helped make his a name that will never fade.
“JD Souther gave us so many memorable songs,” one tearfully wrote on X.
“Just received the devastating news that American folk singer JD Souther has passed away,” another was shocked to tweet. “He was the greatest songwriter from those shores and Only Lonely – without a doubt, the greatest single ever from America. RIP legend.”
Other posts have remembered him as a “songwriting legend” and a “great talent.”
“One of my most cherished and admired songwriters,” one mourned, with another adding: “Had the honor to hear JD Souther last Saturday in Sellersville Pa. RIP to a master of music.”
(celebritytidbit.com)
May he Rest In Peace.
His music for those that are not familiar with Souther’s body of work.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”