In 1967, Glenn Frey went to California for a drug deal. Instead, he met his first musical soulmate
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.
In short
- 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”.
Explained simply
In the late 1960s, Los Angeles was drawing young musicians hoping to build careers in its busy music scene. Glenn Frey, a singer and guitarist from Michigan, arrived in 1967 and met songwriter JD Souther, who shared his interest in writing and performing songs.
Frey and Souther formed the duo Longbranch/Pennywhistle, though it found little commercial success. Souther later co-wrote songs with the Eagles, the band Frey helped form, and remained a close musical associate; Jackson Browne and producer Glyn Johns also played parts in the group’s early development.
Their story helps explain how friendships and songwriting partnerships shaped the Eagles’ music. It also gives context to the band’s later work with Souther, including the song “How Long”.
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