Bonnie Raitt
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Bonnie Raitt, (born November 8, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt.
She began playing guitar at the age of 12, something not a lot of her high school girlfriends did, and after leaving college she began playing the Rhythm and Blues clubs. While admired by those who saw her perform, and respected by her peers such as blues legend Howlin' Wolf, she gained little public acclaim for her work. In 1983, struggling with alcohol and drug abuse, she was dropped by her record label, Warner Bros., and all but disappeared from the music scene.
In late 1987 she joined k.d. lang and Jennifer Warnes as female background vocals for Roy Orbison's television special, Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night. Following this highly acclaimed broadcast, she began working on new material, recording a bluesy mix of hard rock under the production guidance of Don Was at Capitol Records. After more than twenty years of singing and recording popular music, Bonnie Raitt achieved immense success with her 10th album. Released in 1989, "Nick of Time" went to the top of the U.S. charts and won three Grammy Awards. At the same time, she walked away with a fourth Grammy Award for her duet "In the Mood" with John Lee Hooker on his album "The Healer".
She followed up this success with three more Grammy Awards for her 1991 album, "Luck of the Draw", then, in 1994 she added two more Grammy's with her album "Longing in Their Hearts".
She appeared on Warren Zevon's self-titled album in 1976 with Warren Zevon's friend Jackson Browne and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
Discography
- Bonnie Raitt (1971)
- Give It Up (1972)
- Takin' My Time (1973)
- Streetlights (1974)
- Home Plate (1975)
- Sweet Forgiveness (1977)
- The Glow (1979)
- Green Light (1982)
- Nine Lives (1986)
- Nick of Time (1989)
- Luck of the Draw (1991)
- Longing in Their Hearts (1994)
- Road Tested (1995)
- Fundamental (1998)
- Silver Lining (2002)
Political activism
Bonnie Raitt's web site urges fans to learn more about preserving the environment. She was a founding member of Musicians United for Safe Energy.
In July 2004, she drew thunderous applause at the Stockholm Jazz Festival for dedicating a classic to U.S. President George W. Bush. She was quoted as saying, "We're gonna sing this for George Bush because he's out of here, people!" before she launched into the opening licks of "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)," a cover that was featured on her 1979 album The Glow.de:Bonnie Raitt pl:Bonnie Raitt