When Bonnie Raitt’s passion for social issues is aligned with her soulful voice and feel-good guitar playing, it becomes apparent as to why she is one of the most impactful musicians of her generation. Raised in L.A. but stationed in Massachusetts to attend Radcliffe College, Raitt dropped out of school to begin performing at local folk and blues clubs. Soon after, Raitt was introduced to Dick Waterman, an established blues manager, who signed and quickly got her performing with some of the biggest names in blues music; Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. In 1989, Raitt began making her anticipated commercial breakthrough. Her album, Nick of Time, in 1990 won three Grammy Awards, and its follow up, Luck of the Draw, in 1993 added two more Grammys onto Raitt’s rapidly expanding shelf. Her singles “Something to Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” sold more than eight million copies in the United States, and in 2000, Raitt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, her 1996 tribute album to Stevie Ray Vaughan earned her yet another Grammy, exposing that Raitt is indeed an unstoppable force to be reckoned with, as well as one of the most decorated blues musicians of all time.
Excerpt from article “Ten of Blues Influential Artists” by Victoria Shaffer on Guitar Girl Magazine
