J. D. Souther

John David Souther (; November 2, 1945 – September 17, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was "a principal architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters". Souther wrote and co-wrote songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt and some of the Eagles' biggest hits, including "Best of My Love", "Victim of Love", "Heartache Tonight" and "New Kid in Town". "How Long", which appeared on the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden, came from Souther's first solo album. He recorded two hit songs in his solo career: "You're Only Lonely" and "Her Town Too" (1981), a duet with James Taylor. He had a brief acting career and appeared on TV and in movies. He played with the Eagles on their 2008 farewell tour.

Early life and career Souther was born on November 2, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John Souther and Loty , and was raised in Amarillo, Texas. His father sang in a jazz band and later ran a store selling records and musical instruments.

Acting career In 1989, Souther played the character of John Dunaway in the third season of the television drama Thirtysomething. In 1990 he played Ted in the film Postcards from the Edge. He appeared in the audiobook of Jimmy Buffett's A Salty Piece of Land. Souther played Jesse James in the television movie Purgatory in 1999 and Jeffrey Pommeroy in My Girl 2. In 2012, he appeared in the mystery thriller Deadline. He had a recurring role in the first season of the country music drama series Nashville, which premiered in October 2012. He reprised his role in a 2017 episode of the fifth season.

Personal life and death Souther married Alexandra Sliwin, a member of the group Honey Ltd., in March 1969; they divorced in 1972. He dated Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks in the 1970s. He briefly dated Judee Sill and was the inspiration for her song "Jesus Was a Cross Maker".

In December 2002, Souther moved from the Hollywood Hills to Nashville, Tennessee. In 2004, he married Sarah Nicholson He was due to begin a tour in less than a week with songwriter Karla Bonoff.

Discography Albums Year Album Chart positions Label US AUS CAN 1972 John David Souther 206 — — Asylum 1976 Black Rose 85 — — 1979 You're Only Lonely 41 65 68 Columbia 1984 Home by Dawn 203 — — Warner Bros. 2008 If the World Was You — — — Slow Curve 2009 Rain − Live at the Belcourt Theatre — — — Slow Curve 2011 Natural History — — — Entertainment One Music 2012 Midnight in Tokyo — — — Entertainment One Music 2015 Tenderness — — — Sony Masterworks 2023 Live at the Boarding House, July 7, 1976 — — — Floating World Ltd. "—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Trouble in Paradise (1975)