Bonnie Raitt is one of the most acclaimed and influential singers, songwriters, and guitarists of all time. She has won 13 Grammy Awards, sold over 15 million albums, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But what about her personal life? Is Bonnie Raitt gay, or straight? And who has she dated in the past? Here is what we know.
Bonnie Raitt’s Early Life and Career
Bonnie Raitt was born on November 8, 1949, in Burbank, California. Her parents were both musicians, and she grew up listening to blues, folk, and country music. She learned to play guitar at an early age, and was influenced by artists like Mississippi John Hurt, Sippie Wallace, and Muddy Waters.
She attended Radcliffe College, where she studied social relations and African studies. She also became involved in the folk music scene, and performed at coffeehouses and clubs. She dropped out of college in 1971, and signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. She released her self-titled debut album that same year, which received critical acclaim for its blend of blues, rock, folk, and country.
She continued to release albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but did not achieve much commercial success. She was also a frequent collaborator with other artists, such as Warren Zevon, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, and John Prine. She also became an activist, and co-founded the organization Musicians United for Safe Energy, which opposed nuclear power.
Bonnie Raitt’s Breakthrough and Fame
In 1989, Bonnie Raitt had a major breakthrough with her tenth studio album, Nick of Time. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It featured songs like “Thing Called Love”, “Have a Heart”, and the title track, which dealt with themes of aging, love, and mortality.
She followed up with two more successful albums, Luck of the Draw (1991) and Longing in Their Hearts (1994), which sold millions of copies and generated several hit singles, such as “Something to Talk About”, “Love Sneakin’ Up On You”, and “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. She also won more Grammy Awards, and became one of the most respected and popular artists of her generation.
She has since released seven more albums, the latest being Dig in Deep (2016). She has also continued to collaborate with other artists, such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, and Adele. She has also received many honors and accolades, such as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Billboard Women in Music Icon Award, and the MusiCares Person of the Year Award.
Bonnie Raitt’s Sexuality and Relationships
Bonnie Raitt has always been private about her personal life, and has rarely spoken about her sexuality or relationships in public. However, there have been rumors and speculations that she may be gay, or bisexual. These rumors are based on her presence at events and time spent with women who are rumored to be her romantic partners.
Some of the women who have been linked to Bonnie Raitt are:
- Linda Ronstadt: The two singers have been friends since the 1970s, and have performed together on several occasions. They have also been seen together at events, such as the 1990 Grammy Awards, where they both won awards. Some fans have speculated that they may have had a romantic relationship, or at least a crush on each other.
- Maria Muldaur: The two singers have also been friends since the 1970s, and have recorded and toured together. They have also been seen together at events, such as the 1992 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where they performed a tribute to Ruth Brown. Some fans have also wondered if they may have had a romantic relationship, or at least a flirtation.
- Bonnie Bramlett: The two singers have also been friends since the 1970s, and have collaborated on several projects. They have also been seen together at events, such as the 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where they performed a tribute to Janis Joplin. Some fans have also suggested that they may have had a romantic relationship, or at least a friendship with benefits.
However, none of these rumors have been confirmed by Bonnie Raitt or the women involved. They have all maintained that they are just friends, and have never had any romantic or sexual involvement with each other. Bonnie Raitt has also never publicly identified herself as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or anything else.
On the other hand, Bonnie Raitt has also dated several men in the past, and has been married once. Some of the men who have been involved with Bonnie Raitt are:
- Michael O’Keefe: The actor and singer was Bonnie Raitt’s only husband. They got married in 1991, after dating for a few years. They appeared together at several events, such as the 1992 Grammy Awards, where they both won awards. They divorced in 1999, citing irreconcilable differences. They have remained friends, and have no children together.
- Delbert McClinton: The singer and songwriter was Bonnie Raitt’s first boyfriend. They met in the early 1970s, when they were both starting their careers. They dated for a few years, and influenced each other’s music. They broke up in the late 1970s, but have remained friends, and have performed together on several occasions.
- Lowell George: The singer and guitarist was Bonnie Raitt’s second boyfriend. They met in the mid-1970s, when they were both part of the band Little Feat. They dated for a few years, and collaborated on several songs. They broke up in the late 1970s, shortly before George died of a drug overdose in 1979. Bonnie Raitt was devastated by his death, and dedicated her album The Glow (1979) to him.
- Jackson Browne: The singer and songwriter was Bonnie Raitt’s third boyfriend. They met in the late 1970s, when they were both established artists. They dated for a few years, and recorded and toured together. They broke up in the early 1980s, but have remained friends, and have supported each other’s causes.
Conclusion
Bonnie Raitt is one of the most successful and respected artists of all time, but she is also one of the most private and mysterious. She has never revealed her sexuality, or confirmed any of the rumors about her relationships with women. She has also had several relationships with men, and has been married once. Therefore, the answer to the question “is Bonnie Raitt gay?” is not clear, and may never be. The only thing that is certain is that Bonnie Raitt is a talented and amazing person, who has touched the lives of millions of fans with her music and activism.
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