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Singer JD Souther, who wrote hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at age 78
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Singer JD Souther, who wrote hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at age 78

Singer-songwriter John David “JD” Souther, known for his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78.

He died “peacefully at his home in New Mexico,” according to a statement posted on his official website on Sept. 17. A cause of death was not released.

Souther was known for co-writing several classic Eagles songs, including “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love.”

He also wrote songs for Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt, including Raitt’s “Run Like a Thief” and Ronstadt’s “Faithless Love” and “Simple Man, Simple Dream.”

His long list of artists he collaborated with included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills & Nash, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood and many others.

Souther also had a prolific solo career, releasing his debut album, John David Souther, in 1972. His most recent solo album was 2015’s Tenderness.

In addition to his musical career, he has appeared in shows and films including “Nashville,” “Thirtysomething” and “Postcards from the Edge.”

In 2013, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In a commemorative message on its website, the Hall of Fame called him “a major architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.”

According to Souther’s website, he is scheduled to tour with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff later this month.

He is survived by his two sisters, his ex-wife and her daughter, and his “beloved dogs Layla and Bob,” according to his website.

Souther’s fellow artists have honored him on social media.

“His influence on me was huge,” actor and singer Rita Wilson wrote on Instagram. “I recorded two of his songs for my first album, Am/Fm, Faithless Love (Vince Gill’s Harmony) and Prisoner in Disguise, which was a bonus track, and he sang harmony on it.

“At Joe’s Pub @joespub he came in and sang with me for my very first show in NYC,” she continued. “You can imagine what it feels like to sing with one of your heroes on a song he wrote.”

John Stamos responded to Wilson’s post by writing, “Oh man. Sorry Rita,” and Michelle Pfeiffer commented, “RIP JD💔.”

Singer Richard Marx also honored Souther with a message on his Instagram story.

“It hurts when your heroes have to move on. RIP genius,” he wrote.