Born 84 Years Ago Today in Alabama, the Southern Soul Architect and Kris Kristofferson Sideman Who Penned Hits Recorded by Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings

Donnie Fritts, born in Florence, Alabama, on 8 November 1942, helped shape the Muscle Shoals blend of soul, country, pop and R&B as a songwriter and musician. Best known to many as Kris Kristofferson’s longtime keyboardist and friend, he also wrote songs that became hits for other performers.

Fritts co-wrote “Breakfast in Bed”, later a US Top 10 hit for UB40 and Chrissie Hynde, and “We Had It All”, recorded by Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton. He began at Muscle Shoals studios before moving to Nashville in 1965, joined Kristofferson’s touring band in 1970, released five solo albums and acted in several films. He died aged 76 in 2019 after complications from heart surgery.