Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt is a singer, songwriter and slide guitarist whose blues, roots music and ballads connect Nick of Time, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Just Like That.”
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Bonnie’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once Bonnie claims this page.
Latest
Bonnie’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Roots
- Raised in Los Angeles
- Craft
- Singer, songwriter and slide guitarist
- Debut
- Bonnie Raitt, 1971
- Breakthrough
- Nick of Time, 1989
- GRAMMY wins
- 13 competitive awards
Mini bio
How it started.
Bonnie grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of Broadway singer John Raitt and pianist and singer Marge Goddard. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, she played coffeehouse gigs while studying at Harvard/Radcliffe, then left college to pursue music. Blues elders including Mississippi Fred McDowell and Sippie Wallace became mentors.
The breakthrough.
Her self-titled debut arrived in 1971. Nick of Time brought her a wider audience in 1989, followed by a Grammy sweep in 1990. Luck of the Draw followed in 1991 with “Something to Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
Still finding new songs.
She launched her own Redwing Records label with Slipstream in 2012. Just Like That... followed in 2022, with Bonnie producing. Its title song won Song of the Year at the 2023 Grammys.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026Ecstatic, Bruce HornsbyFeatured backing vocals
- 2022Just Like That...Recording artist and producer
- 2012SlipstreamVocals, guitar and production; four tracks produced by Joe Henry
- 1991Luck of the DrawVocals, guitar and co-producer with Don Was
- 1989Nick of TimeVocals, guitar, piano and songwriting
- 1974StreetlightsRecording artist and guitarist
- 1971Bonnie RaittVocals, acoustic guitar and slide guitar
Awards
- Kennedy Center Honors2024 · Honored for lifetime artistic achievements.
- GRAMMY: Song of the Year2023 · “Just Like That,” written by Bonnie Raitt.
- GRAMMY: Best Americana Album2013 · Slipstream.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame2000 · Performer inductee, inducted by Melissa Etheridge.
- GRAMMY: Album of the Year1990 · Nick of Time.
Quotes
I have to have something to say, or I wouldn’t put out a record.Bonnie Raitt, official biography
Reflecting on keeping her records fresh for herself and her fans.
Trivia
- Her first guitar was a Stella, given to her for Christmas at age eight.
- She co-founded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1988.
- Bruce Hornsby played piano and additional keyboards on “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
Find Bonnie
Follow Bonnie for tour news, music and notes from her team.
Are you Bonnie Raitt?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.