When Raitt took a summer off, her career was on
In the summer of 1970, Bonnie Raitt saw the light.
She was a good college student but a great fan of rock ’n’ roll. Her boyfriend at the time, legendary concert producer Dick Waterman, invited her on a tour of Europe with the Rolling Stones. Buddy Guy and Junior Wells were also on that tour, and the young Raitt — entering her sophomore year at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mass. — was a fan of everyone.
“I had every intention of going back to school, but because I was on this tour I missed summer registration” said Raitt, performing Friday night at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms. “I was told I had to wait until winter to register.”
She never registered.
Raitt expanded what was a hobby at the time, performing live at her favorite club, the Main Point coffeehouse near her home in Bryn Mawr, Penn. The main draws in the club at the time included rock icons Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt with the Stone Poneys.
Raitt was an opener at the Main Point — until word of her electrifying performances swept the club scene. She cut her first album that year and was later given a headlining role.
“I got offered my own slot in the club, where I got to see all of my heroes,” Raitt said. “I did that and said, ‘I am going to keep doing this.’ … It was totally by surprise and unexpected. I was just trying to make some extra money, but it was so exciting. I get goose bumps now just thinking about it.”
Raitt’s fame spiked in the late-1980s with the multiple Grammy Award-winning “Nick of Time,” which topped the Billboard charts in 1989. She continues to produce fiery albums. Her latest, “Dig In Deep, ” features a bouncy take of Los Lobos’ “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” and a slower-tempo “Need You Tonight” by INXS.
Raitt continues to absorb all varieties of music, usually writing under tight deadlines between live performances. She says she still feels the zeal to command a concert hall.
“Some of the people in my generation are putting out some of their best work,” the 67-year-old Raitt said. “I never get tired of Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Emmy Lou Harris, Maria Muldaur. We’re all still out there making music and putting it out.”
VIOLIN FEMMES
VegasVille musicians were represented at the Grammy Awards’ telecast on CBS on Sunday night: Cellist Lindsey Springer and violinist Jennifer Lynn backed Sturgill Simpson and The Dap-Kings on “All Around You.” Springer is a member of Celine Dion’s orchestra at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace; Lynn is a member of the contracted strings company Phat Strad who just released her first EP, “The Violution.”
THE WORD FROM MYRON
The city’s foremost Tony Award voter, Smith Center President Myron Martin, said the Las Vegas-based “Bandstand” has already made its mark.
In an advertising sense.
“That show has the best signs I’ve ever seen on Broadway,” said Martin, who has seen them all.
“Bandstand” opens for previews on March 31. Its world premiere is April 26.
WHO WAS WHERE
Thursday at Hakkasan at MGM Grand, recording star Charli XCX and the electro-dance group Cash Cash at the club’s “Cash Is King” party. Charli XCX performed a quick, unannounced set, including her hit “Fancy.” … Friday at “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace: Disney XD “Lab Rats” star Kelli Berglund with a group of friends celebrating her 21st birthday … Sunday, also at “Absinthe,” ex-Redskins great and current broadcaster Joe Theismann (who turned 21 in 1970, showing “Absinthe’s” multigenerational appeal) … Saturday night at Topgolf at MGM Grand, Golden Tate of the Detroit Lions and Jimmy Clausen, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, with friends celebrating Tate’s bachelor party … Twin sightings of former ‘N Sync member Joey Fatone on Monday, at Anthony Cools’ Axe Monkeys hatchet-throwing attraction, and later at Martorano’s restaurant at Paris Las Vegas … At Bootlegger Bistro on Monday night for Kelly Clinton Holmes’ open-mic night: Comic legend Marty Allen and his wife, Karon Kate Blackwell.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV-FM 91.5 and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
