Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Lynn Raitt, born on November 8, 1949, is a distinguished American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Her musical journey commenced with the release of her self-titled debut album in 1971. Over the years, Raitt has garnered critical acclaim for her roots-influenced albums, blending elements of blues, rock, folk, and country.


Beyond her solo career, Raitt has been a sought-after session player and collaborator, lending her talents to various artists such as Warren Zevon, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, and the Pointer Sisters, among others. However, it was in 1989 that she experienced a breakthrough with her tenth studio album, "Nick of Time." This album, featuring the titular song, soared to the top of the Billboard 200 chart and clinched the prestigious Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Notably, "Nick of Time" has been recognized by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry.


Following this triumph, Raitt continued her success with the albums "Luck of the Draw" (1991) and "Longing in Their Hearts" (1994), both of which achieved multi-platinum status and spawned hit singles like "Something to Talk About," "Love Sneakin' Up On You," and the poignant ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me," featuring Bruce Hornsby on piano. In 2022, her single "Just Like That" earned her the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.


Throughout her illustrious career, Raitt has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including 13 Grammy Awards out of 30 nominations, along with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been lauded as one of the greatest singers and guitarists of all time, ranking at No. 50 and No. 89, respectively, on Rolling Stone's esteemed lists. Renowned Australian country music artist Graeme Connors aptly captured Raitt's unique talent, stating, "Bonnie Raitt does something with a lyric no one else can do; she bends it and twists it right into your heart."


In recognition of her significant contributions to music, Raitt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. She has also been honored with the Icon Award from the Billboard Women in Music Awards and the MusiCares Person of the Year from The Recording Academy.


Bonnie Raitt's career began to gain traction in the summer of 1970 when she performed alongside her brother David at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, sharing the stage with blues legend Mississippi Fred McDowell. She also opened for John Hammond at the Gaslight Cafe in New York. A reporter from Newsweek caught wind of her performance and began spreading the word about her talent, attracting attention from scouts of major record labels.
Eventually, Raitt signed with Warner Bros., leading to the release of her self-titled debut album, "Bonnie Raitt," in 1971. The album was well-received by critics, who praised her skills as both an interpreter and a bottleneck guitarist, highlighting her rare talent in a male-dominated field.


Despite the critical acclaim, Raitt's commercial success remained modest, with record sales not matching her growing critical stature. Her subsequent albums, such as "Give It Up" (1972) and "Takin' My Time" (1973), received positive reviews but failed to significantly impact her commercial fortunes.


Throughout the mid-1970s, Raitt continued to experiment with different producers and musical styles, gradually adopting a more mainstream sound. While she received greater press coverage, including a cover story for Rolling Stone in 1975, reviews for her work became increasingly mixed.


Raitt's musical influences included Lowell George of Little Feat, whose playing style, particularly his use of a pre-amp compressor with a slide guitar, left a lasting impression on her. Her prowess with the slide guitar earned her high praise from fellow musicians, with B.B. King once dubbing her the "best damn slide player working today."


Bonnie Raitt's commercial breakthrough came with her 1977 album "Sweet Forgiveness," which featured her remake of the song "Runaway." Transforming the track into a heavy rhythm and blues recording inspired by Al Green, Raitt's version of "Runaway" became a hit single, despite receiving criticism from some critics. Its commercial success sparked a bidding war between Warner Bros. and Columbia Records for Raitt's contract.


Amidst this competition, Raitt renegotiated her contract with Warner Bros., securing a significant deal. However, the label's high expectations for her subsequent album, "The Glow," released in 1979, were not met. Despite modest sales, Raitt had a notable success that year when she helped organize the Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) concerts at Madison Square Garden. These concerts resulted in the gold album "No Nukes" and a feature film of the same name, showcasing performances by Raitt and other renowned artists.


In 1980, Raitt appeared as herself in the Paramount film "Urban Cowboy," contributing the song "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance." Her next album, "Green Light," released in 1982, saw her returning to the sound of her earlier records. Although the album received favorable reviews, her sales did not improve, leading to strained relations with Warner Bros.


In 1983, Bonnie Raitt was on the verge of releasing her follow-up album, "Tongue and Groove." However, the day after mastering was completed, Warner Brothers dropped her from their roster due to dissatisfaction with her commercial performance. Consequently, "Tongue and Groove" was shelved, leaving Raitt without a record contract. During this period, she was also battling alcohol and drug abuse issues.


Despite these challenges, Raitt remained active in touring and political activism. In 1985, she participated in the anti-apartheid song "Sun City" and appeared in its music video. She also engaged in Farm Aid and Amnesty International concerts and traveled to Moscow in 1987 for the first joint Soviet/American Peace Concert.


Two years after being dropped by Warner Brothers, the label informed Raitt of their intention to release the shelved "Tongue and Groove" album. Raitt expressed her concerns, prompting the label to allow her to re-cut half of the album, which was then released as "Nine Lives" in 1986. However, it did not fare well critically or commercially, marking Raitt's final recording for Warner Brothers.


In late 1987, Raitt participated as a background vocalist for Roy Orbison's television special, "Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night." This experience motivated her to start working on new material. By then, Raitt had overcome her substance abuse issues and was clean and sober. She considered signing with Paisley Park Records but ultimately began recording at Capitol Records under the production guidance of Don Was.
Raitt had met Was through Hal Willner while working on the tribute album "Stay Awake." Impressed by their collaboration, Raitt asked Was to produce her next album, marking the beginning of a fruitful partnership.

References

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3. ^ "100 Greatest Singers". Rolling Stone. November 23, 2011. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
4. ^ "100 Greatest Guitarists". Rolling Stone. November 23, 2011. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
5. ^ Chris Coleman (January 18, 2008). "Summer Conversations January 2008". ABC New South Wales. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Archived from the original on February 1, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
6. ^ Bego 1995, p. 11.
7. a b c "Bonnie Raitt Biography". Official Bonnie Raitt website. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
8. ^ Italie, Hillel (July 14, 1991). "Bonnie Raitt discovers her roots". Lawrence Journal-World. Associated Press. p. 4D. Retrieved December 24, 2016.