That Bonnie Raitt has become one of America’s most celebrated, enduring musicians must come as little surprise to those who know the fiery redhead. After all, Raitt is far more than a musician: she’s a Harvard-Ratcliff educated political activist with the canny ability to pen lyrics that touch her audiences.

Raitt was born into an entertainment family, the creative energy evident in her genes, her father the endeared Broadway star, John Raitt and her mother a noted pianist and singer. When she was a small girl of eight, she received her first guitar and immediately began playing. After spending her childhood on the west coast, Raitt headed to the storied city of Boston for her university years, where she emerged herself in both her studies and in folk music. She spent her off time singing in local coffeehouses, and after her junior year traded her schoolbooks in for her guitar, dropping out of school and heading on the road. Raitt opened for such blues’ legends as John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, which gave her valuable exposure to industry insiders.

By 1971, Warner Brothers – who had pursued Raitt – had signed her to a recording contract and that same year her self-titled debut album was released which followed with six back-to-back albums. But, she wouldn’t breakthrough with a hit until the 1977 album, “Sweet Forgiveness,” which spawned the mega-hit “Runaway,” a slick remake of the old Del Shannon song. Overnight, Raitt was a sensation, and Bonnie Raitt concert tickets were selling fast and furious.

In between recording and touring, Raitt founded the MUSE – Musicians United For Safe Energy – and staged a huge benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in 1979. The dawn of a new decade, however, proved to be challenging for the musician. While her 1982 release, “Green Light,” received critical acclaim, fans didn’t agree. Four years later, “Nine Lives” appeared and promptly tanked. In addition to her stalled career, Raitt battled addiction throughout the decade.

The 1990s, however, were a turning point, and Raitt regained her superstar status. “Nick of Time” hit store shelves in 1989, and the following year Raitt received several Grammys for her work, including the Album of the Year Grammy for “Nick of Time.”

Raitt has gone on to release numerous albums since then, including “Luck of the Draw” (1991), “Fundamental” (1998), and “Silver Lining” (2002). Raitt’s most recent album, “Souls Alike,” was released in 2005.