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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSOUTHER, J.D.(b c46, Texas) Singer, songwriter. Raised in Amarillo, played in obscure groups: Longbranch Pennywhistle duo with future Eagle Glenn Frey made eponymous LP for Amos '70. Own first LP John David Souther '72 on David Geffen's Asylum label (released first Eagles album same year); he prod. Linda Ronstadt's Don't Cry Now '73, then was tempted into Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, the label's attempt at a megabuck supergroup in CSN&Y mould, with Chris Hillman (ex-Byrds, Burrito Bros, Stephen Still's Manassas) and Richie Furay (newly solo ex-lead singer of Poco). First eponymous album '74 had six faces on the cover, incl. pianist Paul Harris, Al Perkins on steel guitar (both ex-Manassas), drummer Jim Gordon (ex-Derek & The Dominos). It went gold on expectations but lacked any consistency; Furay's "Fallin' In Love' was the classiest track, while Hillman exhumed "Safe At Home' from International Submarine Band repertoire. Trouble In Paradise '75 was rightly named as egos got out of hand; it flopped despite several Eagles sitting in. Gordon left to session, replaced by Ron Grinel; three principals split '76, all making solo LPs for Asylum: Souther's Black Rose (prod. by Peter Asher) had an all-star cast of Ronstadt, Joe Walsh, Lowell George; songs typically lovelorn singer/ songwriter stuff. His songs were recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Ronstadt (title track of Prisoner In Disguise). You're Only Lonely '79 on CBS incl. more Eagles, attempt to break out of mould with a shot at reggae; continued in '80s with songwriting, singing background for Warren Zevon, Christopher Cross etc; album Home By Dawn '84 on Full Moon/Asylum. |