Friday night at the Saenger wasn’t just another show for Bonnie Raitt. It was the night of her 75th birthday—which proved an occasion to rock a little, greet a couple old friends, and have some reflective moments. And of course, to hear the audience sing “Happy Birthday” a couple of times.
But as milestone celebrations go, this one had a somber undertone. Blame that partly on the election; she noted a few times that she was still shell shocked. But it’s also down to the kind of songs that she prefers nowadays. Her latest album “Just Like That” is informed by loss; it’s title track (Friday’s centerpiece) is a rather heart-wrenching story song despite its uplifting twist. She paid tributes throughout the set to absent friends including Allen Toussaint, Lowell George and one especially close to her heart, John Prine. Also from the new album was a rocker, “Living for the Ones” (as in “Living for the ones who didn’t make it”), which is either the happiest bummer song we’ve heard this month or vice versa. (It was down to her earlier albums to provide the rockier and sexier crowd pleasers, like “Something to Talk About” and John Hiatt’s “Thing Called Love”).
As usual, she had a world-class band to do it all with. Her current guitarist is a Boston guy, Duke Levine, one of the most admired in that town (he’s played with Peter Wolf, Mary Chapin Carpenter and a host of indie acts). In this band he handles the elegant leads as a counterpoint to the grittier stuff Raitt plays on slide. Bassist Hutch Hutchinson and drummer Ricky Fataar have both been with her for decades; the latter was a full-fledged Beach Boy in the ’70s. Glenn Patscha of Olabelle took over the keyboard slot after Jon Cleary chose to stay in New Orleans full time, and provided tasty Hammond solos in a more band-like style.
The first guest to appear was Rickie Lee Jones, who was also celebrating a landmark birthday (her 70th) on the same night. They traded verses and harmonized on Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” and though their singing styles are wildly different, their obvious affection for each other carried it. Then Cleary (who was across the street playing the Tulane benefit show at the Orpheum) made an appearance for the final encore and immediately kicked the tempo up a notch with “Unnecessarily Mercenary,” his song that Raitt recorded. Not having another song planned, Raitt then called for “I Believe I’m in Love With You,” the Fabulous Thunderbirds rocker that she’s played many times over the years, but not so much lately, It was a throwback to younger and rowdier days, as all birthday parties should be.
James Hunter’s set was an absolute kick, especially for those of us who hadn’t previously discovered this UK soul/swing artist. His vocalizing brought memories of Georgie Fame and Van Morrison (both of whom he’s worked with); there’s a bit of Bobby Darin in his hip swagger as well. He seized the post-election mood well with “Brother or Other,” a plea for understanding. But unlike Morrison, he’s exuberant and good-humored onstage: When he took the stage and saw that just half the crowd was in its seats, he greeted them with “Still at the bar, are ya? Come on back, you drunken gits!” I left with two of his Daptone LPs under my arm.
Milano is a veteran music critic whose 2007 book, The Sound of Our Town: A History of Boston Rock and Roll, “should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding Boston’s unique contribution to rock ‘n’ roll.” Milano entered the Boston music scene in the 1980s as a music journalist. He was a long-time columnist for the Boston Phoenix, as well as the Boston Globe and Sound & Vision magazine. Milano has also written for publications such as Billboard, Pulse, and the College Media Journal. In 2013, he became the editor of OffBeat, where he has written about music since 2005.
Bonnie Raitt, known for her songs “Something to Talk About,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and “Love Sneakin’ Up on You,” has won 10 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “Nick of Time.” The legendary singer turns 75 on Friday. Here’s a look back at her career through the years.
Bonnie Raitt speaks against storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nev., during an Earth Day press conference on April 22, 2002, in Washington. Raitt joined a dozen other groups in calling for more environmental protections. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt speaks against storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nev., during an Earth Day press conference on April 22, 2002, in Washington. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy and Ruth Brown pose for pictures at the “Salute to the Blues” concert celebrating the Official Year of the Blues at Radio City Music Hall in New York on February 7, 2003. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt and actor Danny Glover wait behind a banner for a march up Market Street to begin in San Francisco, on February 16, 2003. Over 200,000 people marched in protest to war with Iraq. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt sings at the Civic Center rally in San Francisco, on February 16, 2003. Over 200,000 people marched in protest to war with Iraq. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt poses for pictures during arrivals for the Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 22, 2003. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt and David Crosby entertain at a campaign stop for Howard Dean on Dec. 14, 2003 in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt entertains at the preview opening of the new George Lucas campus, the Letterman Digital Arts Center, in San Francisco on June 25, 2005. The newly constructed 23 acre complex is in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
George Lucas thanks Bonnie Raitt at the preview opening of the new George Lucas campus. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt and Joan Baez embrace at the preview opening of the new George Lucas campus. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and Jackson Browne pose for photographers at the 2006 MusiCares Person of the Year benefit honoring James Taylor in Los Angeles on February 6, 2006. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans on April 29, 2007. Photo by A.J. Sisco /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives to participate in a staged reading of “The World of Nick Adams,” a performance to benefit Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall California Camp, The Painted Turtle, at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco on October 27, 2008. Photo by Terry Schmitt /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives for the MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Paul McCartney held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on February 10, 2012. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 12, 2012. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt poses for photographers on the red carpet as she arrives for an evening of gala entertainment at the Kennedy Center, December 1, 2012 in Washington. Photo by Mike Theiler /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt appears backstage with the Grammy she won for Best Americana Album for “Slipstream” at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10, 2013. Photo by Phil McCarten /UPI License photo | Permalink
Musicians Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt attend “A Song Is Born'” at the Grammy Foundation Legacy Concert held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on January 23, 2014. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood and Emmylou Harris arrive in the press room at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at Barclays Center in New York City on April 10, 2014. Photo by John Angelillo /UPI License photo | Permalink
Music executive and producer Joe Smith listens to comments by musician Bonnie Raitt during an unveiling ceremony honoring him with the 2558th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on August 27, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives for the Grammy Awards held at Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 15, 2016. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives for the Grammy Awards held at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
Bonnie Raitt arrives for the Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI
Bonnie Raitt attends the Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. Raitt, Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead and Arturo Sandoval were named the 47th Kennedy Center honorees. The ceremony will air on CBS on Dec. 23. Photo by Jim Ruymen /UPI License photo | Permalink
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The 13-time Grammy Award winner turns 75 on Nov. 8, 2024. Over her five-decade career, the blues rock star has released 18 studio LPs, earned two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and sold 20 million records. She was also a frequent session musician, collaborating with artists including Warren Zevon, the Pointer Sisters and Jackson Browne.
As the singer hits a new milestone, see her life in photos, from her accolades to causes she holds close to her heart.
Bonnie Raitt was born in Burbank, California, on Nov. 8, 1949, to pianist Marge Goddard and musical theater actor John Raitt. She grew up with two brothers, Steven and David.
Raitt majored in social relations and African studies at Harvard University, but in her second year, she took a semester off to follow blues promoter Dick Waterman and fellow musicians to Philadelphia.
Her experience led her to take another year off school to pursue music — and she never came back to Harvard.
While opening for blues artist Mississippi Fred McDowell, a Newsweek reporter spotted her, resulting in record company scouts coming out to hear her play. Raitt later signed with Warner Bros. and released her self-titled debut album in 1971.
After several albums failed to live up to her record label Warner Bros.’ commercial expectations, the studio dropped Raitt from their roster in 1983. At the time, she was also struggling with alcohol and substance abuse problems. In the late ‘80s, Raitt started psychotherapy and joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get sober.
“I thought I had to live that partying lifestyle in order to be authentic, but in fact if you keep it up too long, all you’re going to be is sloppy or dead,” she told Parade magazine in 2012 after 25 years of sobriety.
In 1989, Raitt had a commercial resurgence with her 10th studio album Nick of Time. The record hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and won her album of the year at the 32nd Grammy Awards.
The success of Nick of Time carried onto her following two albums, 1991’s Luck of the Draw and 1994’s Longing in Their Hearts. The former produced one of Raitt’s signature songs, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” which was later re-recorded by George Michael, Boyz II Men and Adele.
Raitt married Academy Award-nominated actor Michael O’Keefe on April 27, 1991. In a February 1999 60 Minutes interview, Raitt said that her marriage to O’Keefe had been a “humbling experience.” The pair announced their divorce later that year, on Nov. 9, 1999.
“Their different professions drove them apart,” a friend of the pair told PEOPLE following the 1999 split. “But for a while they did try to make it work.”
The source added, “They supported each other. It seemed like a good match.”
6. Bonnie Raitt’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
After being introduced by Melissa Etheridge, Raitt said in her speech, “I don’t know if any of us ever get up here expecting to reach this level of respectability when we’re first bopping around our rooms as kids to our favorite records. I know I never expected to make a living out of it, let alone take a place next to all these legends I’ve watched walk up these stairs.”
The artist added, “Nobody gets up here who wasn’t obsessed [with music], didn’t worry their parents, didn’t mess up their relationships — and if they did it right, probably their health as well. It’s the thing that still drives me, and it always will.”
Throughout her career, Raitt has stayed involved in politics. Her second album, 1972’s Give It Up, had a dedication to the people of North Vietnam on the back, and she was a founding member of Musicians United for Safe Energy in 1979. The “Something to Talk About” singer was also involved in the anti-nuclear movement, joining civil disobedience groups like the Abalone Alliance and Alliance for Survival.
During the 2007 Democratic primaries, Raitt supported candidate John Edwards until he suspended his campaign to accept the vice presidential nomination. In 2016, Raitt endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
“I was so inspired for this song by the incredible story of the love, and the grace, and the generosity of someone that donates their beloved’s organs to help another person live,” Raitt said of the song, which was inspired by her late friend who died of coronavirus, John Prine.
She continued, “I don’t write a lot of songs but I’m so proud that you appreciate this one.”
Brendan Le has been working as a journalist for three years, covering arts, entertainment and fashion as well as human interest stories. He joined PEOPLE as an Editorial Intern in 2024. Brendan previously worked as an Editorial Intern for FLAUNT Magazine and served as Editor In Chief of Northwestern University’s Asian American-interest magazine nuAZN.
Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.
Bonnie Raitt is nothing if not loyal. And when she caught wind of the fact that Mike Reid and I were writing and recording together, she was quick to volunteer to sing on our song “The Bridge.” It’s one of my favorite songs Mike and I have written. And I can no longer imagine it without her heroic spirit present. ~ Joe Henry
Released on: 2025-09-05 Producer: Joe Henry Music Publisher: Rivers and Roads Music (ASCAP - admin by Endurance Music Group) Music Publisher: Mule Rider (ASCAP) Music Publisher: Blue Raincoat Music (ASCAP) ℗ 2025 Work Song Inc. marketed and distributed by Thirty Tigers
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Prison Bound Blues · Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie has contributed a new recording of "Prison Bound Blues" written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal,Margo Price, The War and Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system. https://found.ee/BetterThanJail.
I'm so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I've been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts." ~ Bonnie Raitt
Released on: 2024-10-04 Executive Producer: Brian Hunt Producer: Kenny Greenberg Producer: Wally Wilson Producer: Bonnie Raitt Recording Engineer: Jason Lehning at Sound Emporium Mastering Engineer: Alex McCollough at True East Mastering Production Assistant: Shannon Finnegan Mixer: Justin Niebank at Hounds Ear Music Publisher: Universal Music Corp. Composer, Lyricist: Leroy Carr ℗ Believe Entertainment Group and Wyatt Road Records
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Nothing in Rambling Ft. Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' & Mick Fleetwood
In celebration of the band’s 50th Anniversary, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have just released Struck Down, their first studio album in eight years on Stony Plain Records. The ten-track album includes a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling,” featuring longtime friends, T-Birds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood. — BRHQ
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Little Feat - Long Distance Call
“I’ve always loved Little Feat and this new incarnation of the band is bringing some serious heat, cred and new blood to their enduring legacy. Every Feat fan loves us some Sam. I’m so glad he’s now gotten a chance to step out front and center and put his spin on these wonderful blues songs. I loved singing "Long Distance Call" with him, always one of my favorites, and Scott slayed on slide. Know you’ll enjoy hanging out with us at Sam’s Place!" -- Bonnie Raitt
“Long Distance Call” was written by blues legend, Muddy Waters. It has Sam Clayton and Bonnie Raitt on vocals, Scott Sharrard on Dobro, Fred Tackett on acoustic guitar, Tony Leone on drums, and Michael “The Bull” LoBue on harmonica. The album also features Bill Payne on piano and Kenny Gradney on bass.
Little Feat have composed an album that’s their love letter to the blues entitled, ‘Sam’s Place.’ “Long Distance Call” plus many other blues classics are on this album. You can stream and order ‘Sam’s Place’ here: https://orcd.co/samsplace
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the anticipated new John Prine tribute record from Oh Boy Records, is out today. Stream/purchase HERE.
Created as a celebration of Prine’s life and career, the album features new renditions of some of Prine’s most beloved songs performed by Brandi Carlile (“I Remember Everything”), Tyler Childers (“Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You”), Iris DeMent (“One Red Rose”), Emmylou Harris (“Hello In There”), Jason Isbell (“Souvenirs”), Valerie June (“Summer’s End”), Margo Price (“Sweet Revenge”), Bonnie Raitt (“Angel From Montgomery”), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (“Pretty Good”), Amanda Shires (“Saddle in the Rain”), Sturgill Simpson(“Paradise”) and John Paul White (“Sam Stone”). Proceeds from the album will benefit twelve different non-profit organizations, one selected by each of the featured artists.
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Bonnie Raitt - Write Me a Few of Your Lines/Kokomo Blues
60 years anniversary celebration of Arhoolie
December 10, 2020
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Arhoolie Foundation celebrates it's 60th anniversary (1960-2020) with an online broadcast.
Bonnie Raitt - Shadow of Doubt
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
October 3, 2020
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrates it's 20th anniversary with an online broadcast titled “Let The Music Play On”.
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Bonnie Raitt & Boz Scaggs - You Don't Know Like I Know
Farm Aid 2020 On the Road
Sam & Dave classic written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
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Sheryl Crow & Bonnie Raitt - Everything Is Broken
[Eric Clapton’s Crossroads 2019]
Eric Clapton, one of the world’s pre-eminent blues/rock guitarists, once again summoned an all-star team of six-string heroes for his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2019. Held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the two-day concert event raised funds for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, the chemical dependency treatment and education facility that Clapton founded in 1998.
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'A Tribute To Mose Allison'
Celebrates The Music Of An Exciting Jazz Master
Raitt contributed to a new album, If You're Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison, which celebrates the late singer and pianist, who famously blended the rough-edged blues of the Mississippi Delta with the 1950s jazz of New York City.
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to Bonnie Raitt about her friendship with the Mose Allison. They're also joined by Amy Allison — his daughter, who executive produced the album — about selecting an unexpected list of artists to contribute songs to the album.
Recorded on tour June 3, 2017 - Centennial Hall, London - Ontario Canada
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