Eagles Pay Tribute to J.D. Souther During Debut Performance at The Sphere
The Eagles honored the late songwriter and collaborator J.D. Souther during their debut performance at The Sphere on Friday night. Souther, who helped write several of the band’s biggest hits, passed away just three days prior to the show.
A Tribute to J.D. Souther
Before performing their hit song “Heartache Tonight,” Don Henley took a moment to acknowledge Souther’s contributions to the band’s music. “I want to acknowledge the co-writer of that song who we lost three days ago, Mr. J.D. Souther,” Henley declared. “J.D. is someone you may know played a pivotal role in the Eagles. He wasn’t in the band, but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits.”
The crowd responded with emphatic applause, and Henley encouraged them to “sing it so they can hear you.” The tribute served as a poignant reminder of Souther’s significant impact on the Eagles’ music.
J.D. Souther’s History with the Eagles
Souther was an integral part of the Eagles’ orbit even before the band was formed. He and band co-founder Glenn Frey were songwriting partners, and they released an album together under the name Longbranch Pennywhistle in 1970. The following year, the Eagles were established, and Souther was initially invited to join the group. However, during a performance for the band’s management team, Souther realized that the fit wasn’t right.
“To be frank, they didn’t need me,” Souther recalled in 2018. “They were a perfectly well-rounded, self-contained band. I figured we were going to keep writing together anyway, so I think we all got the best of that situation.”
Despite not being an official member of the Eagles, Souther continued to collaborate with the band on many well-known tracks, including “Best of My Love,” “James Dean,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight.” He also wrote several hit songs for his former girlfriend, Linda Ronstadt.
J.D. Souther’s Solo Career
Souther went on to have a successful solo career, featuring a pair of hits: “You’re Only Lonely” (1979) and “Her Town Too” (1981), the latter of which was a duet with James Taylor.
Eagles 10 Most Famous Concerts
The Eagles have a long history of performing at iconic venues and festivals. Here are some of their most famous concerts:
Conclusion
The Eagles’ tribute to J.D. Souther during their debut performance at The Sphere served as a poignant reminder of the songwriter’s significant impact on the band’s music. Souther’s contributions to the Eagles’ hits, including “Heartache Tonight,” will always be remembered.
FAQs
Q: Who is J.D. Souther?
A: J.D. Souther is a songwriter and collaborator who worked with the Eagles on many of their biggest hits.
Q: What was Souther’s role in the Eagles?
A: Souther was not an official member of the Eagles, but he co-wrote several of their biggest hits and collaborated with the band on many tracks.
Q: What was Souther’s solo career like?
A: Souther had a successful solo career, featuring two hit singles: “You’re Only Lonely” (1979) and “Her Town Too” (1981), a duet with James Taylor.
Q: Why did Souther leave the Eagles?
A: Souther left the Eagles after realizing that the fit wasn’t right, and he continued to work on his own music and collaborate with other artists.
Q: What is The Sphere?
A: The Sphere is a new, state-of-the-art concert venue in [insert location]. The Eagles were the first band to perform at the venue.
