John David “JD” Souther, the prolific and pioneering country- rock singer-songwriter who co-wrote 1970s hits for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt , has died “peacefully” at home in New Mexico at 78, an announcement on his website said Wednesday.
He was slated to begin a solo tour next week.
In his work with The Eagles, Souther co-wrote “New Kid in Town” and “Victim of Love” for their smash 1976 album Hotel California , which has sold more than 32 million copies.
Souther and Ronstadt dated in the 1970s, and he co-produced her 1974 album Don’t Cry Now . He went on to write songs for her, including “Faithless Love,” which appeared on Heart Like a Wheel , released later that same year. The two also recorded several duets.
Souther briefly dated Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks and singer-songwriter Judee Sill, serving as the inspiration for her song “Jesus Was a Cross Maker” due to the “ romantic bummer ” she suffered when they broke up.
His biggest solo success was the title track from his 1979 album, You’re Only Lonely , which made it to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.