by Robert Wilkinson
As some of you know, one of the “architects of the Southern California sound” just died a few weeks ago. He wrote and co-wrote some very famous songs for some very famous musical talent. Today we celebrate his great talent in a third Saturday show.
John David Souther (November 2, 1945 - September 17, 2024) was a singer, songwriter, and actor. He learned to play violin, clarinet, sax, and guitar, and was recording by 1965. He met Glenn Frey in 1969 and formed Longbranch Pennywhistle which morphed into Linda Ronstadt’s backing band which became the Eagles. He was part of a country rock supergroup The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, and did solo work as well as contribute to a lot of other acts while writing some of the Eagles’ biggest hits. For your enjoyment, JD Souther! He wrote all of these.
His early solo work!
John David Souther (1972)
Black Rose (1976)
His third album gave us his #1 hit! “You’re Only Lonely”
Here’s the entire album. You’re Only Lonely
He wrote these for Linda Ronstadt for her 1973 Don’t Cry Now album.
He wrote this on her 1974 Heart Like A Wheel” album. “Faithless Love”
He wrote these and did harmony vocals! First, the title track of the 1975 Prisoner in Disguise album. Here’s “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Silver Blue”
He wrote this hit from her 1978 album Living in the USA, “White Rhythm and Blues”
For a final nod to Linda, he did these duets for the 1980 film Urban Cowboy
“Sometimes You Just Can’t Win”
“Hearts Against the Wind”Going back a few years, in 1974 he hit big with The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. Here’s their first album which went to #11. This hit was written by Richie. “Fallin’ In Love”
Here’s the entire first album released in 1974. JD wrote 4 of the tunes. The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
Their second album from 1975 was less well-received, but JD wrote some great ones! Trouble in Paradise
During this time his songs were on fire as hitmakers for the Eagles between 1973-1979! He wrote or co-wrote these:
Henley’s End of the Innocence had JD co-writing this hit. ”The Heart of the Matter”
He also helped write “Little Tin God” and “If Dirt Were Dollars”
In 1981, he teamed up with James Taylor to cut this Top 5 hit! “Her Town Too”
We’ll end this brief tribute with his appearance on one of the ultimate “greatest superstars” performances! For your enjoyment, from 1987, the awesome Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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