Who is Bonnie Raitt?

Bonnie Raitt is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and activist. Her music incorporates elements of blues, rock, folk and country. Raitt has released many successful albums and won 10 Grammy Awards throughout her career.

Early Life

Raitt was born on November 8th, 1949 in Burbank, California. Her father was the Broadway musical star John Raitt. Raitt began playing guitar at age 8, and she began performing at local clubs at the age of 15. In 1967, she graduated from Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Career

In 1971, Raitt signed with Warner Bros. Records and released her self-titled debut album. She received critical acclaim for her second album Give It Up (1972). Raitt followed up with Takin' My Time (1973), Home Plate (1975), Sweet Forgiveness (1977), and The Glow (1979). She achieved increased fame with the release of Nick of Time (1989) which won three Grammy Awards. In 1991, she released Luck of the Draw which featured the hit single “Something to Talk About”. Since then she has released several additional albums including Slipstream (2012), Dig in Deep (2016), and her latest album Dig In Deep (2020).

Activism

Raitt is an active political activist who has worked to protect the environment and advocate for human rights. She has been a spokesperson for the global charity Oxfam America since the mid-1980s. She also participated in a number of philanthropic projects such as Farm Aid and Vote for Change. In 2000, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Awards and Achievements

Raitt has won 10 Grammy Awards throughout her career. She has also received numerous awards including a Billboard Century Award in 1995 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Music Awards in 2016.