In July 1972, photographer David Gahr captured a series of intimate, candid portraits of singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt in Greenwich Village, New York City. At the time, a 22-year-old Raitt was establishing herself as a formidable force in the blues and folk scene, having released her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album the previous year and gearing up for her sophomore release, Give It Up.
Having taught herself to play slide guitar at age 14 using a glass bottleneck, she became one of the few women known for the technique, often playing her trademark 1965 Fender Stratocaster. Her sound uniquely blended elements of traditional Delta blues, folk, country, and rock. Rather than chasing pop hits, she deliberately used her platform to record tracks by lesser-known songwriter friends like Chris Smither, Eric Kaz, and Joel Zoss.
Her self-titled debut album Bonnie Raitt (1971) was recorded in a remodeled garage in Minnesota and warmly embraced by music critics for its raw, organic musicianship. Recorded in Woodstock, New York, Give It Up (1972) refined her signature blend of blues and folk and remains widely regarded as an early-career masterpiece. These album Takin’ My Time (1973) and Streetlights (1974) saw her continuing to collaborate with session musicians and exploring more diverse production styles.
Throughout the 1970s, Raitt prioritized live performances, touring, and artistic authenticity over commercial pop stardom. She used her growing platform to support legacy blues musicians, often bringing older artists on tour with her, and was actively involved in social and political causes, including environmental activism and anti-nuclear movements.
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