Bonnie Raitt Biography

Bonnie Raitt is an iconic American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has spent over five decades in the Hollywood industry. She is known for having a soulful voice and a unique guitar talent. She has had an influence of blues, rock, and folk in her music, which has made her very popular among the listeners. In her journey, the 75-year-old has won several awards, including the prestigious Grammy Award. She has come a long way from a young girl who developed a passion for music at a very young age to becoming an iconic name in the American music industry.

Early Life

Raitt was born on November 9, 1949, in Burbank, California, and is the second of three children born to parents who were also into music. Her father, John Raitt, was a noted musical star who performed Broadway music and her mother, Marjorie, was a talented pianist.

While growing up, Bonnie was surrounded by music and artistic influences, primarily due to her parents. It was they who motivated her while creating an environment where music could be cherished. Bonnie was merely 8 years old when she received her first guitar. Her childhood was spent in a liberal, quaker family. During her childhood, she attended the Quaker summer camp in Adirondacks. It was at this camp that she was introduced to the music and politics of Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, at the time when the peace movement was at its inception.

Introduction to Music

Out of all the genres of music, it was the blues music that caught her attention. During her early years, she was polishing her musical skills while also being politically active. She was also getting educated all this time, balancing her studies and her passion for music. However, at one stage, her love for music took over and she decided to drop out of college.

It was after this that she joined the East Coast blues and folk music scene. At the inception of her career, she played in and around cafes in Boston, where she was able to gather a crowd for herself and people started noticing her talent. Avalon Productions, founded by Dick Waterman, gave Bonnie a great opportunity, which gave her career the push that was needed all along.

It was through Waterman that she was able to play alongside legends of blues music such as Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Lighting Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Howling Wolf, and Junior Wells. She also got the opportunity to perform alongside folk-rock contemporaries like Jackson Browne and Little Feat.

Her Music Career

While performing at the New York Gaslight Café, she attracted the attention of A&R people from recording companies. It was in 1971 that she was signed by Warner Brothers and she was able to release her debut album titled ‘Bonnie Raitt’. This music album was really appreciated by everyone who heard it, while special mention was given to her guitar techniques.

During the early years of her career, she released three albums: ‘Bonnie Raitt’, ‘Give It UP’ (1972) and ‘Takin’ My Time (1973), and these stand as a testament to her dedication to the roots of blues music.

From 1973, her inclination grew towards recording more polished pop material, which in return culminated in her first single. This song was a rework of Del Shannon’s song ‘Runway’. Moving forward in her career, she remained dedicated to making quality music, which could be a reflection of her talent. However, a slight slump came in her career when the audience or the critics did not like certain albums released by her. Two of these albums were ‘Green Light’, released in 1982, and ‘Nine Lives’, released in 1986. Since these albums did not perform as per expectations, Warner Brothers was forced to drop her from the label. Post this, she resorted to alcohol, which eventually turned to alcoholism and she struggled with it for a few years.

The Revival of the Career

Bonnie was able to bounce back from her problem and she was eventually signed with Capitol Records. In 1989, she released an album titled ‘Nick of Time’, which brought immense success for the singer. For this album, she was able to win four Grammy Awards, out of which one was for Best Pop Vocal, and this was written by her. This album was able to sell more than five million copies, which showed the popularity of the artist.

In 1991, she then released the album ‘Luck of the Draw’, which again became a resounding success for the singer and was also selected for Grammy Awards. Along with this album, her album titled ‘Longing in Their Hearts’ was also successful, which again led her to win a Grammy Award. Both these albums sold in tremendous numbers, and the singer became a huge icon in the industry.

She was able to make her place in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Contribution to Society

While Bonnie remained dedicated to music, she also dedicated a part of her career to political issues. She co-founded the Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) in 1979 with Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, and John Hall. MUSE performed five concerts in Madison Square Garden, which featured these artists along with other legends like James Taylor, Carly Simon, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and the Doobie Brothers.

She was an active part of all social and political music movements. For instance, she contributed in Steve Van Zandt’s anti-apartheid ‘Sun City’ in 1985. Further, she also participated in several Farm Aid and Amnesty International Shows. She was also a part of the first Soviet/American Peace Concert held in Moscow in 1987.

She continues to work on several issues, which are relevant and need urgent attention. She is also an honorary board member of Little Kids Rock. This organisation provides free musical instruments and free music lessons to public school children all across the country of America.

Bonnie Raitt Facts and Information