Bonnie Raitt celebrates her birthday today. The acclaimed singer and guitarist was born on November 8, 1949 in Southern California. A quarter century later, Bonnie would appear on one of the first episodes of the pioneering PBS live music program, Soundstage, produced by Chicago’s WTTW public television affiliate.
Live music television visionary Ken Ulrich helmed the show, which on December 17, 1974 featured Raitt as well as her touring partners, influences and Chicago blues legends guitarist Buddy Guy, vocalist/harmonica player Junior Wells and saxophonist A.C. Reed, among others. Raitt spoke about the appearance in a 2015 Soundstage spotlight in Variety.
“I was still relatively unknown nationally and to have Ken offer that kind of showcase, bringing me together with my friends and frequent tour mates Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, was a pretty amazing gift.”
The episode saw Guy kicking things off with “A Man Of Many Words” before Wells joined in on “Little By Little,” “I Wouldn’t Have To Sing The Blues” and “Mystery Train.” Bonnie and her band then took the stage for “Love Me Like A Man,” which appeared on her 1972 album, Give It Up. From the opening notes, Raitt’s prowess as a blues guitarist is on full display along with her iconic vocals. Raitt also shows off her trademark slide skills on “Write Me A Few Of Your Lines.” Additionally, the set included Bonnie’s signature cover of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” and saw Wells join her on “Everybodys’ Cryin’ Mercy” before Buddy, Cook and others help Raitt close things out with “Long Lonesome Road.”
To celebrate Bonnie Raitt’s birthday, watch her perform on Soundstage in 1974 below on the JamBase Live Video Archive (JBLVA) via Bonnie’s Pride and Joy for this edition of Sunday Cinema:
Setlist (via Bonnie’s Pride and Joy)
Set: A Man Of Many Words (Buddy Guy), Little By Little (Junior Wells), I Wouldn’t Have To Sing The Blues (Junior Wells), Mystery Train (Junior Wells), Love Me Like A Man, Any Day Woman, Under The Falling Sky, Write Me A Few Of Your Lines, Woman Be Wise, Angel From Montgomery, You Got To Feel It, Everybodys’ Cryin’ Mercy (with Junior Wells), Long Lonesome Road (Everybody!)
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