A central figure in the Southern California rock scene of the 1970s, he later had a regular role on the TV show “Nashville.”

He penned hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor and found a burst of solo success with “You’re Only Lonely.”

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.

JD Souther, the singer, songwriter and actor who co-wrote some of the biggest hits of the Eagles, like “New Kid in Town” and “Best of My Love,” and had a long solo career that included the top 10 hit “You’re Only Lonely,

Souther, who collaborated on some of the Eagles' biggest hits, such as “Best of My Love," “James Dean,” "New Kid in Town," and “Heartache Tonight,” died Tuesday at his home in New Mexico, according to an announcement on his website.