# In 1967, Glenn Frey went to California for a drug deal. Instead, he met his first musical soulmate

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1967-glenn-frey-went-to-california-for-a-drug-deal-instead-he-met-his-first-musical-soulmate/
- Published: 2026-11-01T21:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T22:20:19+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1967-glenn-frey-california-drug-deal-first-musical-soulmate/
- Topics: Entertainment, Health, Medicine, Music

## Key points

- Frey’s 1967 trip to California led him to JD Souther.
- They became songwriting partners and formed Longbranch/Pennywhistle.
- Souther later co-wrote Eagles songs, including “How Long”.

## Summary

Glenn Frey travelled to Los Angeles in 1967 intending to buy drugs in Mexico and visit his girlfriend, but meeting songwriter JD Souther changed his plans. The two quickly connected over their music and became close collaborators, giving Frey a trusted songwriting partner as he built his career.

Their duo, Longbranch/Pennywhistle, did not achieve much success, but Souther later co-wrote songs with the Eagles and was regarded as an honorary member. The article says their longstanding relationship helped shape the band’s early work and later return, including through the song “How Long”; it also describes Jackson Browne and producer Glyn Johns as important figures in the Eagles’ early development.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.