John David “J.D.” Souther, known for co-penning hits with the Eagles, James Taylor, and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78.

J.D. Souther, a legendary singer and songwriter with roots with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, plus later Nashville success, has died at age 78.

Credited with helping to shape the Southern California country-rock sound of the mid-1970s, J.D. Souther co-wrote the Eagles' 'New Kid in Town' and 'Best of My Love' and Ronstadt's 'Faithless Love,' among other hits.

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.

Eagles have released a statement honoring J.D. Souther, their cowriter and collaborator who died on Tuesday at the age of 78.

"We have lost a brother, a friend and a brilliant collaborator, and the world has lost a great songwriter, a pioneer of the Southern California sound that emerged in the 1970s," t

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.