Bonnie Raitt on being honored at the Kennedy Center for 50 years of musical excellence

Bonnie Raitt’s 1989 hit “Thing Called Love” is just one of the many highlights of her 50-year career. This year, the 13-time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of Rolling Stone’s greatest singers and guitarists of all time added another accolade to her already impressive resume: Kennedy Center honoree.

Reflecting on the honor, Raitt said, “It seems surreal to me that I’m going to be standing on this balcony…my friends are going to be saying all these nice things and singing my songs.” I didn’t expect it. And I’m just like that.” tickled beyond words.

Raitt’s songs provided a sentimental soundtrack for many, and hits like “I Can’t Make You Love Me” cemented her place in music history.

“Everyone was heartbroken,” Raitt said. “This is one of the great breakup songs. I sing it every night and I know what it means to her. And I know what it means to me.”

Raitt grew up in a musical household in Southern California, influenced by her father, Broadway star John Raitt, and her mother, singer and pianist Marge Goddard.

“What came through here was his love of acting, and he couldn’t believe he was being paid to do something he would love to do anyway. So that wasn’t lost on me. What a gift it was to be able to do whatever he wanted to do for a living.

Although music began as a hobby, Raitt’s passion led her to drop out of Radcliffe College and pursue a career in blues. She was an outstanding redhead guitarist and singer and secured her first record deal in her first year.

Her journey was not without setbacks. Raitt was dropped by Warner Brothers in 1983, saying, “They didn’t want me to play any more roots rock and roll.” The big corporations have taken over.”

She used the time to focus on sobriety and eventually found success with Capitol Records.

Her 1989 album “Nick of Time” was a breakthrough and earned Raitt her first Grammy and a spot on the Billboard charts.

“It was overwhelming,” she said. “A million copies were sold even before the Grammy nomination.”

Hits like “Something to Talk About” and her recent Grammy-winning Song of the Year prove that Raitt’s talent has only grown with time.

Looking ahead, Raitt has already planned 39 tour dates for 2025.

“I just want to make as much difference in the world as possible,” she said. “I am confident that as long as I do my best to make quality music and give as great a performance as possible, the audience will come back and see me next time.”

The Kennedy Center Honors The ceremony, which took place on December 8, 2024, will air on December 22 on CBS.