Bonnie Raitt – VH1 Behind The Music – Season 1: Episode 31 – Air Date: June 7, 1998 Produced, Written & Directed by Jason Goodman Narrator: James Jude Forbes, often credited as James Jude or his better-known name, Jim Forbes.
When I got the assignment to do Bonnie Raitt’s Behind The Music, I didn’t really know a lot about her. But as I did my homework, I fell totally in love with both her slide guitar playing, and with her back story. Bonnie started playing guitar as a teen, but only started taking it seriously when she went to Radcliffe, and fell in love with a local music promoter who was also the manager of Son House. It wasn’t long before Bonnie left college and started a masters course in the blues at the feet of the men who had invented it. She is very much the real deal.
This was also my first Behind The Music where the other interviews were equally famous performers. Thanks to Bonnie, I got to meet and spend time with one of my childhood heroes, Jackson Browne, Ruth Brown (really loved her, RIP, Ruth), David Crosby, Melissa Etheridge and Don Was. Just writing that down reminded me of how much fun it was to hang with them.
I got into a pretty heated conflict with the network execs over this act. VH1 came to think that Behind The Music’s success was based on the excesses of the Rock ‘n Roll life style, not interest in the actual artist. In Bonnie’s case, she’d had a lull in her career, and during that lull she drank too much, and slept with some people she wouldn’t have slept with if she hadn’t been drinking. I gave it the focus I thought was appropriate – it is my favorite act in the show – but the network wanted a lot more wretched excess, and ultimately my boss told me the show was a miss because it was too soft. Silly me, I thought my job was to tell Bonnie’s beautiful and moving story, not to try to create controversy when it wasn’t really there. I guess that really does sound naïve, doesn’t it?
Two little things about Bonnie. First, regardless of what VH1 thought, Bonnie loved the show. And when she found out I was making a film the following summer in Indianapolis, where she was coming through on a tour with Jackson Browne, she invited me to the show and to a barbecue backstage afterwards. They both really made me feel like we were old friends, and I really wish I was. They are very cool people.
The other thing is about her marriage to Michael O’Keefe. Usually when you get to the relationship part of the interview, particularly when you’re talking to a married couple, you expect to get a lot of shiny happy talk. But both Bonnie and Michael were quite open that neither was finding their marriage that easy, and I wasn’t exactly surprised when they announced their divorce less than a year after we taped the interviews.
Jason Goodman is a Peabody Award-winning Director/Writer/Producer specializing in long-form television documentary and reality programming. He is based in New York City. jason@jasongoodman.tv
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will mark its 25th anniversary with two all-star concerts this week at Madison Square Garden in New York. Here’s the rundown for each night’s bill (with headliners in bold, followed by their special guests):
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THURSDAY, OCT. 29
•Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with John Fogerty, Darlene Love, Sam Moore and Tom Morello
•Stevie Wonder with Jeff Beck, B.B. King, John Legend, Smokey Robinson and Sting
•Paul Simon / Simon & Garfunkel with Dion DiMucci and Little Anthony and the Imperials
•Crosby, Stills and Nash with Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor
FRIDAY, OCT. 30
•U2
•Eric Clapton with Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy
•Metallica with Ozzy Osbourne and Lou Reed
•Aretha Franklin with Lenny Kravitz and Annie Lennox
Jerry Lee Lewis also will perform both evenings.
As far as star-studded concerts go, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s back-to-back 25th anniversary shows this week at Madison Square Garden in New York promise to outshine most.
Despite the hint of incredulity in his voice, Nash wasn’t complaining. After all, his group will be in stellar company Thursday night, with Paul Simon (performing solo and with Simon and Garfunkel), Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band also on the bill.
The lineup for Friday night’s concert doesn’t want for luminaries, either, with Metallica, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin and U2 ready to shine.
Joining the main attractions onstage will be a cavalcade of famous guests, including Rock Hall inductees such as Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Ozzy Osbourne, Smokey Robinson and Sting.
Net proceeds from the shows, which will cost $9 million to put on, are earmarked for the endowment of Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Organizers hope to raise $4 million. Both nights are nearly sold out, with approximately 13,000 tickets sold for each date. (Madison Square Garden can accommodate 20,000 people, but an extra-large stage will limit capacity.)
For his part, Nash is as excited about catching the other performers as he is about CSN’s performance.
“It’s safe to assume that we won’t be splitting after our set,” he said by phone last week from his home on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Bonnie Raitt attends the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert at MSG – NY
If there was a single word that summed up the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert Thursday night, it was “legacy.” Backstage, artist after artist spoke of the importance of musical heritage, emphasizing the icons who influenced them as they delivered awe-struck commentary on the show’s spectacular
CSN was enshrined in the Rock Hall in 1997. Nash’s previous band, the Hollies, have been nominated for induction next year.
During their performance, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Nash will showcase the singer-songwriter tradition in rock ‘n’ roll, with an emphasis on the West Coast’s golden era in the ’60s and ’70s.
They planned their segment with input from Rock Hall officials.
“They wanted Jackson and James, and we suggested Bonnie,” Nash said.
That would be Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt, who will make cameo appearances during CSN’s set.
“We’ll probably open with ‘Woodstock,’ which we only did once on our last tour,” Nash said.
“CSN will start rocking, then we’ll invited Bonnie out. We’ll probably do ‘Love Has No Pride’ or ‘Angel from Montgomery.’ We’ll bring Jackson out and do ‘The Pretender.’ We’ll bring James out and do ‘Mexico.’ Then everybody will do ‘Love the One You’re With.’ “
Details are subject to change, Nash added, although this much he knows:
While visiting my parents in Alamo this weekend, my mom brought up something I had forgotten.
When i was a young kid, i loved the music artist Bonnie Raite….yes, Bonnie Raitt.
I totally remember my dad making deals with me and using Bonnie Raitt cassette tapes as my incentive. It usually worked. I really wanted those Bonnie Raitt cassette tapes!
I knew every word to every song. I dont remember how old i was, but younger then 10 i think.
Now, here is my little secret. I sometimes listen to “love songs after dark” in my car. (whew, its out in the open now)! Here is my number 2 secret. Now that im almost 26, i still know every word to every Bonnie Raitt song….and she definitely gets played on “love songs after dark”. So guess who’s in her car belting out a little Bonnie Raite? ME!
Now that im an adult, (hm creepy) i actually take notice of what the lyrics really are and what Bonnie is really singing about. And im realizing how strange it really was for me to be singing some of these songs. hahaha
For example: “turn down the lights, turn down the bed. Turn down these voices inside my head. Lay down with me, tell me no lies….i cant make you love me if you dont. I cant make your heart feel something it wont.”
This was always my very favorite song of Bonnie’s….still is. But how weird that I was singing those words at like possibly age 7?! HAHA.
Thanks Dad for making Bonnie Raitt deals with me. And thank you for letting me sing all of her songs even though some werent quite age appropriate. And thank you mostly because i can now sing at the top of my lungs every time she comes on radio in my car!
Ok, now im really hoping my favorite song will come on today! And here is the link to it…ENJOY and know that im currently belting it out as i post this.
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 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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