Bonnie raitt biography

7 February 2023, 16:11

Bonnie Raitt is one of the most respected musicians of her generation.

Fans were in uproar in 2023, when she was described as an "unknown blues singer" by some publications, after winning a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, beating the likes of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lizzo.

The American blues singer and guitarist released her self-titled debut album in 1971, and has since brought out several critically acclaimed albums across various genres including blues, rock, folk, and country.

In 1989, after several years of relatively small commercial success, she finally had a major hit with her 10th studio album Nick of Time, including the song of the same name.

In 1977, her album "Sweet Forgiveness" achieved gold status, marking her first major breakthrough. After noting in her acceptance speech that “Just Like That” was inspired by singer-songwriter John Prine, who died in 2020, Raitt said, “I don’t write a lot of songs but I’m so proud that you appreciate this one.”

In addition to 13 Grammys, Raitt has received a host of other awards and accolades over the decades, including an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 1992 and a Harvard Arts Medal for “achievement in the arts by a Harvard or Radcliffe alumnus” in 1997.

Within weeks, Nick of Time shot to number one (it is now certified quintuple platinum). I just sat in my room and played my guitar."

During her second year of college, she left school for a semester and moved to Philadelphia with other local musicians. In August 2017, she played at Fenway Park on a double bill with James Taylor, who told The Boston Globe Raitt was his “sister by another mother” since the two are “definitely in the same musical genome.”

Just Like That…, Awards, Accolades, “Stay true to your art”

In January 2022, Raitt received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys and in April that year she released her 18th studio LP, Just Like That…, which shot to #1 in the Billboard Top Blues Albums and Billboard Folk Albums charts.

Among the artists Waterman managed were Son House, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, J.B. Hutto, Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and he identified Raitt as a rare talent the moment he saw her perform in late 1969, becoming her manager from then until 1985.

Move to Philadelphia, The Rolling Stones, Warner Bros.

tracked her down, signed her up, and in 1971 released her debut album, Bonnie Raitt. As for perseverance, only a handful of other artists have remained even remotely relevant after experiencing her variety of personal and professional ups and downs, let alone thrive like Raitt, who was 73 when she won the 2023 Song of the Year Grammy over four nominees less than half her age – Harry Styles (29), Taylor Swift (33), Lizzo (34) and Adele (34) – and another one more than 30 years her junior, Beyoncé (41).

After 18 studio albums, three live LPs and a road-warrior schedule that would exhaust even the most travel-hungry among us, Raitt has received 30 Grammy nominations in total despite having said that she’s never sought any commercial success.

dropped her from its roster and put the tapes on ice, leaving Raitt without a contract and playing mostly small venues including Hot Tin Roof, Hampton Beach Club Casino and Toad’s Place.

In 1985, the year Raitt debuted at the Newport Folk Festival, Warner Bros.

She showcased her technical prowess and songwriting abilities, often incorporating covers of classic blues songs and works by contemporary musicians into her albums. “My game plan was just to follow my blues and jazz exemplars. In 1972, Warner Bros. Adding insult to injury, Raitt’s third Grammy nomination (Best Female Rock Vocal Performance) didn’t materialize, with Tina Turner winning the award.

Her interpretations of blues classics drew admiration from renowned musicians within the genre. Stay true to your art, do the best shows you can, keep going, don’t worry about commercial success, and when you’re 70 years old people will still want to come and see you.”

(by D.S. Monahan)