J. D. Souther dead at 78: Singer-songwriter penned tracks for Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles

Singer-songwriter J.D. Souther has died at the age of 78.

The Detroit-born musical artist, who wrote country-rock songs for popular acts such as the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, passed away at his New Mexico home, a rep for the Eagles told the Los Angeles Times.

Souther’s cause and date of death was not immediately clear, according to the outlet.

Souther, who penned Eagles staples such as 1976’s New Kid in Town and 1979’s Heartache Tonight, and Ronstadt’s 1974 track Faithless Love, had been slated to begin touring next week in Phoenix.

Souther, who had a hit of his own with 1979’s You’re Only Lonely, also had penned songs for artists such as the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and George Strait.

Souther, who had a hit of his own with You’re Only Lonely, pictured in Amsterdam in 1976

Souther had also worked as an actor, appearing on shows such as Nashville and Thirtysomething, as well as motion pictures such as Postcards From the Edge and My Girl 2.