Bonnie Raitt was born on November 8, 1949 in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway star John Raitt and singer/pianist Marge Goddard.

 

When she was eight years old, Raitt was given her first guitar as a Christmas present and immediately began playing.  She discovered blues music when she was 14 and began to teach herself slide guitar.

 

After graduating from high school in Hollywood, Raitt briefly attended Radcliffe College in Massachusetts as a Social Relations/African Studies major before dropping out to pursue a career as a blues musician.  She became a fixture on the folk and blues circuits in and around Boston, and shared stages with notable musicians like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

 

After signing a contract with Warner Brothers Records, Raitt released her debut album, Bonnie Raitt, in 1971, which garnered critical acclaim.  For the remainder of the decade, Raitt performed at folk and blues festivals and in blues clubs.  She released six albums over the next seven years, eventually recording rock and pop songs as well as traditional blues.

 

Raitt also used her platform as a musician to speak out against social injustices.  She participated in the Sun City anti-apartheid project and at the 1980 No Nukes Concert at Madison Square Garden.  She is the co-founder of MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy), and continues to speak out in favor of women’s and Native American’s rights.

 

In 1988, Raitt co-founded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which recognizes pioneering blues musicians for their contributions to the history of music.

 

Although she was nominated for three Grammy Awards in the early 1980s, Raitt was not propelled into superstardom until 1989, when she signed with Capitol Records and released her tenth album, Nick of Time.  The album quickly surpassed her debut in terms of sales, going to number one on the charts and earning her three Grammy Awards—Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Female (for the title track), Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female (for the title track) and Album of the Year.  That same year, Raitt also won a Grammy for her collaboration with John Lee Hooker on “I’m In The Mood” for Best Traditional Blues Recording.

 

Raitt followed Nick of Time with 1991’s Luck of the Draw, which won three Grammy Awards—Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for “Good Man, Good Woman,” Best Solo Rock Performance for “Luck of the Draw,” and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female for the album’s hit single “Something to Talk About.”

 

Raitt’s 1994 album, Longing in Their Hearts, received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album that year.

 

In 1995, Raitt decided to take a brief hiatus from her career, although she appeared on many other artists’ records, including B.B. King, Ruth Brown and Pete Seeger.  She also worked professionally with her father, appearing with him in concert and guest-starring on his 1995 album, Broadway Legend, which was nominated for a Grammy. 

 

That year, Raitt also began working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, beginning the Bonnie Raitt Guitar Project, to encourage musical interest among youth

 

The following year, her collaboration with artists like Eric Clapton, King and Buddy Guy on “SRV Shuffle,” a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

 

In 1998, Raitt went back to solo recording, and released Fundamental, which had a strong world music influence.

 

Raitt’s contributions to the music industry were recognized through her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2000.  The following year, she was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame along with her father, who passed away in February 2005.

 

In 2002, Raitt released Silver Lining, which many consider to be her finest album to date.  She continues to record and perform.