Everyday Creation
Everyday Creation is about purpose, awe and good vibrations. The show's title refers to three types of creation: The ways we express ourselves (for example, with art, music and so many other pursuits fueled by purpose and passion); the parts of life that fill us with awe (birth, death, love, the big picture); and our personal power to create our best possible lives while also making the world a better place. Here, you’ll encounter interviews, essays and some episodes created simply for information and fun. I'm your host Kate Jones, welcoming you to Everyday Creation.
Everyday Creation
As a Songwriter, J.D. Souther Soared Like an Eagle and Could Have Been One
Multi-instrumentalist J.D. Souther achieved his greatest musical success by writing songs for the Eagles and other 1970s rock stars. It was Souther who suggested that Linda Ronstadt hire Glenn Frey and Don Henley for her back-up band. That connection eventually led to the formation of the Eagles.
Souther released his own albums to modest success. His biggest hit single was "You're Only Lonely" in 1979. You can hear the song by going to the official audio. In the chapters for this episode, you'll see an image of the "You're Only Lonely" album cover. That album and his LP "Midnight in Tokyo," which is pictured in the thumbnail and the chapters, are available on Amazon Music.
To learn more about Souther and see some great portraits of him, visit his website.
This tribute is one of 41 stories that Sheldon Zoldan, a longtime journalist, has written and recorded in honor of the music notables who passed away in 2024. He's written tributes for other years as well. You can listen to the ones from 2023 on Everyday Creation. We'll have the 2022 tributes available later this year.
Sheldon also is the creator of Song of the Day, a story that he sends by email to a list of subscribers. To get on his subscriber list, email shzoldan@comcast.net with the subject line ADD ME TO SOTD.
This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation, available on YouTube and in podcast directories including Apple, Audible, iHeart and Spotify.
Sheldon:
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J.D. Souther
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was never an Eagle,
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but he soared anyway.
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Souther turned down a chance to join one
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of the most successful rock bands ever
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because he thought it was already perfect.
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Instead, he wrote songs for the group and
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other rock stars of the 1970s as
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well as recording his own music.
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Souther died September 17
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in Sandia Park, New Mexico.
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The cause of death wasn't given.
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He was 78.
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The Song of the Day is paying tribute
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to the singers, songwriters and musicians who died
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in 2024.
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Souther
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grew up listening to jazz.
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He played the clarinet,
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alto sax and the drums.
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He moved to Los Angeles when he was
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19
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and began hanging out with a group of
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young musicians and songwriters.
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He took up the acoustic guitar because it
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was easier than hauling around a drum set.
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He befriended Glenn Frey and suggested his girlfriend
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Linda Ronstadt
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hire Frey and Don Henley for her backup
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band.
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They, along with two other members of the
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band, became the Eagles.
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Souther, instead of joining the Eagles, wrote for
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them.
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Frey said
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Souther didn't have a bigger solo career because
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he gave all his songs to the Eagles
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and Ronstadt.
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Souther often was asked if he was angry
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that the Eagles had his songs.
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"I would usually start saying, 'Would you like
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to see the checks?'"
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he said in a July 2019 interview.
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Souther's biggest hit came in 1979
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with "You're Only Lonely."
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He told songfacts.com
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he was influenced by Roy Orbison's
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"Only the Lonely"
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and by the first song he ever heard,
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also called "Only the Lonely," sung by Frank
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Sinatra.
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His song reached number seven on the Billboard
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Hot 100
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and number one for five weeks on the
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Billboard
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adult contemporary chart.
Kate:
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That was Song of the Day creator Sheldon
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Zoldan, and I'm Kate Jones, host of Everyday
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Creation.
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Thank you for joining us today.
