Donnie Fritts, the Alabama musician, songwriter and actor known for his close collaboration with Kris Kristofferson and his role in the Muscle Shoals music scene, died on 27 August 2019 following complications from heart surgery. The article marks seven years since his death and highlights his often overlooked influence across country, soul and American popular music.

Born in Florence, Alabama, in 1942, Fritts began as a teenage drummer before becoming a pianist and songwriter. He co-wrote songs including “Breakfast in Bed” and “We Had It All”, the latter later recorded by artists such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles and the Rolling Stones; he also toured with Kristofferson from 1970, acted in films and released five studio albums. Fritts was 76 and had been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2008.