Singer JD Souther, who also wrote hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, dies at 78

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

He passed away “peacefully in his New Mexico home,” according to a message posted on his official website on Sept. 17. A cause of death was not shared.

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 Rondstadt’s “Faithless Love” and “Simple Man, Simple Dream.”

His long list of collaborators also included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills & Nash, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood and several others.

Souther had a prolific solo career as well, 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 appeared in shows and movies, including “Nashville,” "Thirtysomething” and “Postcards from the Edge.”

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

Souther had been set to embark on a tour later this month with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, according to his website.

He is survived by his two sisters, his former wife and her daughter, and his “beloved dogs Layla and Bob,” his website said.

Souther’s fellow artists have been paying tribute to him on social media.

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

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

John Stamos commented on Wilson's post, writing, "Oh man. Sorry Rita," and Michelle Pfeiffer commented with the message, "RIP JD??."

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

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

This article was originally published on TODAY.com