“J.D. is someone you may know played a pivotal role in the Eagles,” Don Henley tells crowd. “He wasn’t in the band but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits.”
The Eagles paid tribute to J.D. Souther during the band’s opening night show Friday at Las Vegas’ Sphere, dedicating “Heartache Tonight” — co-written by Souther — to the late singer-songwriter who died earlier this week.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a couple of people,” Don Henley told the audience before the final song of the evening.
“I want to acknowledge the co-writer of that song who we lost three days ago, Mr. J.D. Souther. 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.”
Henley also honored Jimmy Buffett prior to “Heartache Tonight,” Ultimate Classic Rock reports. “Sing it so they can hear you,” he added.
Earlier this week, the Eagles penned a tribute to Souther following his death earlier this week. “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,” the Eagles said in a statement.
“He was a crucial co-writer on many of our most popular songs, including ’The Best of My Love,’ ‘New Kid in Town,’ and ’Heartache Tonight.’J.D. also collaborated on many of Don Henley’s solo works, including ’The Heart of the Matter,’ ‘Little Tin God,’ ‘If Dirt Were Dollars’ and ’Talking to the Moon.’”
Joe Walsh added his own tribute Friday on social media hours before the Sphere show, “My friend, my brother and favorite partner in room-trashing, JD co-wrote the songs that mapped the Eagles’ flights. Godspeed. Time to go home.”