"J.D. is someone you may know played a pivotal role in the Eagles," Don Henley tells crowd. "He wasn’t in the band but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits."

He helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt.

LOS ANGELES — John David “JD” Souther, a prolific songwriter and musician who helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78.

The Eagles have paid tribute to songwriter and actor J.D. Souther, who has died at the age of 78. Souther, who co-wrote several songs with the band, died peacefully at home in New Mexico, just days before he was due to embark on a US tour with singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff.

The Eagles have paid tribute to JD Souther, the songwriting collaborator of some of their biggest hits who passed away on 17 September at his home in New Mexico at the age of 78. He had been due to start a solo tour with Karla Bonoff on 24 September.