#jack tempchin

J.D. Souther Dies at 78

- Singer/songwriter co-founded Souther-Hillman-Furay Band; collaborated with Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Weir and others

J.D. Souther, the singer/singwriter who co-founded the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band and collaborated with Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Weir and others, has died at 78.

“On behalf of Team J.D., we are sad to share this news with all of you,” read a post on Souther’s social media pages that linked to a Los Angeles Times story that did not specify a date or cause of his death.

“J.D. Souther was a friend, and so talented,” Carole King said in a statement. “We’ll miss him.”

The co-writer of such songs as the Eagles’ “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight” and Ronstadt’s “Faithless Love,” Souther also contributed songs to Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, George Strait and the Dixie Chicks.

“I knew J.D. for 54 years and we were best of friends all that time,” fellow songwriter Jack Tempchin said. “It really hurts to lose him.”

In 1973, Souther teamed with former Byrd/Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman and Buffalo Springfield co-founder Richie Furay to form their self-titled trio.

“J.D. was one of contemporary music’s most-gifted songwriters,” Furay said in a statement. “I am very thankful for the time we had together on this part of life's journey.”

Souther kept working through the decades, recently co-writing and appearing on stage with Weir and preparing a solo tour for later this year and another with Karla Bonoff in 2025.

“JD was a remarkable talent, and his contributions to music are immeasurable,” Stephen Bishop said. “He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”

Keith Allison Dies at 79

- Multi-instrumentalist played with Paul Revere & the Raiders 1968 to 1975, recorded with Ringo Starr, the Beach Boys and others

Keith Allison, the multi-instrumentalist and session man best known for his 1968-1975 stint with Paul Revere & the Raiders, has died at 79.

Allison died Nov. 17; no cause was given in a statement issued by his family.

“We all here in the Raider family are terribly heartbroken,” the band said in a separate statement on its Facebook page. “Keith will always be a Raider. … Keith was a friend to all, and everyone loved Keith. His presence will be strongly missed.”

Songwriter Jack Tempchin, who frequently collaborated with Allison, said: “He was an amazing guy.”

Allison played bass, guitar and organ, sang and shared songwriting credits in the Raiders. He is the co-writer of the much-recorded bluegrass song “Freeborn Man” and counts Roy Orbison, Ringo Starr, the Beach Boys, Alice Cooper and members of the Monkees among the many artists he recorded and performed with over his career.

“So sad to hear about the passing of my good friend Keith Allison,” Micky Dolenz tweeted.

As an actor, Allison appeared on television shows including “Blossom,” “7th Heaven” and “The Wonder Years.”

Song Review: Jack Tempchin: “Part of Me, Part of You”

Outside of Don Henley, no one wrote more songs with Glenn Frey than Jack Tempchin.

Tempchin is responsible for Eagles’ smashes including “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Already Gone” and later co-wrote, with Frey, many solo hits for the late Eagles frontman including “Smuggler’s Blues,” “You Belong to the City” and “Part of Me, Part of You,” which appeared the film “Thelma & Louise.”

The latter is the first single from Tempchin’s forthcoming album-length tribute to Frey, Peaceful Easy Feeling. It worked as a buddy song in in the movie. It also worked as a love song independent of the film. And, recast as a maudlin, acoustic ballad with a smattering of electric bass notes sprinkled throughout, it works as a pean to a departed friend. 

I hear it when I stand beside the river/I see it when I look up in the sky/I feel it when I hear that lonesome highway/so many miles to go before I die, Tempchin sings in his distinctive baritone.

Tempchin’s is the second tribute to Frey, who died last January at 67, to come out this week, following Bob Seger’s “Glenn Song,” which Sound Bites reviews here: http://krispyweiss.tumblr.com/post/156048651558/song-review-bob-seger-glenn-song-chiseled

Peaceful Easy Feeling is tentatively scheduled for release in March.

Grade card: Jack Tempchin - “Part of Me, Part of You” - C