Presented by: Ella Myers, Westin Davis, and Rowena Jones

• Bonnie Raitt was born November 8, 1949 in Burbank, California

• Her parents are Broadway singer John Raitt and pianist/singer Marge Goddard.

• Bonnie was given a Stella guitar when she was eight years old. This launched her on her creative journey.

The Life of Bonnie Raitt

• Bonnie moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the late 60’s where she attended Harvard for three years.

• She dropped out of college in 1969 and began playing for the US folk and blues circuit.

• www.modernblues.net.htm

• “Angel from Montgomery” http://youtube.com/watch?v=N5HpW1Sula8

Troubled Times

• Warner Bros dropped her after she failed to win wide acclaim by the mid 80’s.

• Bonnie fought against drug and alcohol addictions

• Her worst selling album “Nine Lives” released in 1986

• She got divorced in 2001 from a ten year marriage

Music

• Influenced by:– World politics and

situations– Friends and associates– Life

• Musical Accomplishments– Started with the blues– Now combines blues, rock

and roll, and pop– Writes her own music– Produced her own album

“Souls Alike” in 2005

Career Moves

• Played coffeehouse gigs in Cambridge during college

• Signed with Warner Bros. and released her debut album “Bonnie Raitt” in 1971

• 6 albums over the next 7 years • First hit single in 1977, “Runaway”• Moved to Capitol Records in 1989• Appeared on over a hundred albums by other

artists

Mentors, Friends, and Associates

• Muddy Waters

• John Lee Hooker

• Sippie Wallace

• Mississippi Fred MacDowell

• Ruth Brown

• Keb’ Mo

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo

• B.B. King

• Tony Bennett

• Willie Nelson

The Grammy Collection1980: 3 Grammy nominations

• “Nine Lives”

• “Green Light”

• “The Glow”

1989: 3 Grammy awards for the album • “Nick of Time”

1991: 3 Grammy awards for

• “Luck of the Draw”

1994: 2 Grammy awards for • “Longing in their Hearts”

1995: 1 Grammy award for • “In the Mood”

“Thing Called Love” http://youtube.com/watch?v=V_8ZjtmXQUw

Achievements

• Halls of Fame– Rock and Roll, March 2000– Hollywood Bowl, June 2002

• The Bonnie Raitt Program – Gives free guitar lessons

• Recorded 18 albums• Co-founded MUSE (Musicians United for

Safe Energy)• Political achievements:

– campaigned against war in Central America – Participated in the Sun City anti-apartheid

project• Worked for:

– Environmental Protection – Women’s Rights – Native Americans

1. What state was Bonnie Raitt born in?A. CaliforniaB. MassachusettsC. Alabama

2. What style of music does Bonnie Raitt play? A. BluesB. Rock and RollC. PopD. All of the above

3. What year was the award winning album “Luck of the Draw” released?

A. 1969 B. 2003 C. 1991

References• www.lyricslist.com• www.bonnieraitt.com• www.coasttocoasttickets.com/concerts/bonnieraitt_article.

shtml• www.modernblues.net• www.kenmeyerjr.com/music/Raitt/html