Bonnie Raitt

Bluesey singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt was much-loved by critics throughout her early career, but it took 18 years and ten albums before she finally achieved mainstream success with 1989's Grammy-winning Nick of Time LP.

As a teenager Raitt went to Harvard University, but she abandoned her course in African Studies in second year after meeting famous blues promotor Dick Waterman. They became friends and Waterman encouraged Raitt to write and perform more, and when he decided to move to Philadelphia Raitt decided to follow him. She soon signed a deal with Warner Bros., who released a debut self-titled album in 1971. It would be the first of a series of Raitt records that would earn glowing reviews but little attention from the public. Give It Up (1972) was hailed by critics, who were equally impressed with Takin' My Time (1973) and Streetlights (1974), but it wasn't until a critically panned cover of "Runaway" in 1977 that Raitt had any chart success. That earned her a bumper new contract, but with that came heightened expectations from her label bosses.

The Glow (1979) was received poorly, both critically and commercially, increasing the pressure on Raitt to up her game. After organising and performing in the anti-nuclear Musicians Unite for Safe Energy concerts in 1979, and featuring in the resultant gold-selling triple-album No Nukes (1980), it looked like Raitt's fortunes had turned. But 1982's Green Light again failed to entice the shoppers, despite more positive reviews. The following year she was dropped from her label just as she completed her next album - this, combined with drug and alcohol problems, threatened to mark the end of Bonnie Raitt's career in music.

In 1986, Warner Bros. agreed to let Raitt re-record and release the songs she had previously written for her next album, but Nine Lives was as disappointing as the label had previously predicted. Undeterred, Raitt continued to write and perform live, and eventually signed to Capitol for her next album. She recruited Don Was as producer, and that decision paid off in style as her next four Was-produced albums saw a sensational turnaround in fortunes. Nick of Time (1989) topped the US album charts, sold five million copies, and won three Grammys (including the coveted Album of the Year). Luck of the Draw (1991) did just as well, earning another three Grammys and selling seven million copies. Longing In Their Hearts (1994) was another album chart-topper, and won another two Grammys, and the live album Road Tested (1995) was certified gold.

While Raitt's profile and sales have dipped again since she stopped working with Don Was, her popularity has endured with fans. Fundamental (1998), Silver Lining (2002), and Souls Alike (2005) have all been modest successes with critics and record-buyers.