John David Souther was 78 and a giant in west coast rock and roll. He wrote so many hits for the Eagles, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and himself. What a shame to report he’s gone.

I was lucky to meet JD a long time ago with his great friend, the actress Mary Kay Place. He was a legend in the rock world as the author of so many monster hits.

The Eagles’ “Best of My Love” was actually the song that broke the group out. He also wrote two other Eagles classics, “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid In Town.”

Souther’s duet with James Taylor on “Her Town, Too” was a left field smash, especially because it made it sound like they were talking about Carly Simon, Taylor’s ex.

On his own, JD had a number 1 hit with “You’re Only Lonely.”

Some fans of the TV show, “thirtysomething,” will remember him as inspired casting as the teacher Hope Steadman sort of falls for during her pregnancy.

No cause of death has been given. But condolences to his many fans, friends, and family. JD Souther is an important name in pop history, like Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon. He will be sorely missed.

One of the tragic parts of the death of Tito Jackson is that he and brothers Marlon and Jackie had been touring as The Jacksons.

The three brothers recently performed in Munich, and in LA at the Fool for Love marathon show. Their act includes Jackson 5 hits and some of brother Michael’s, like “Rock with You.”

The Jackson have several shows still booked for this year. An insider tells me that the trio was recording music for a possible new album.

Now all of that is up in the air without Tito, who played bass guitar expertly in addition to sharing vocals.

One option might be recruiting Jermaine Jackson, who was part of the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons. Jermaine warred with Michael and has often been in the news for tax problems and a sexual harassment suit.

Jermaine has been living in Dubai for the last few years with his much much younger fourth wife, Mayday Gonzalez. She’s also the mother of his 7th child. (One of his older kids is playing Michael in the new biopic coming soon.)

My source says Jermaine will likely fly in for Tito’s funeral. He also could join Marlon and Jackie to finish the album, and perhaps play some dates. But Jermaine has never been a team player, so the duo may have to soldier on without him.

Meantime, I’m told that the family matriarch, Katherine, who’s 94 and is wheelchair bound, has been told about her son’s death. There’s nothing worse than outliving one child, but two is miserable. As a friend says, “Tito was the nicest one.”

Tito died when he stopped in Gallup, New Mexico, driving from Los Angeles to Tulsa, where he’s been living. I’m told he was driving one of his classic cars when he had a heart attack and pulled over looking for help.

Tragic.