John Raitt was born in Santa Ana, California, and first began to sing
at various YMCA's, Kiwanis, and Rotary Clubs. In 1940, John got his first
professional singing engagement in the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera production
of HMS Pinafore. His stunning performance in the company's Merry
Widow won him an MGM screen test and a film contract. He was cast in
Carousel and emerged as one of the most notable male stars of Broadway.
He has three children, one of whom, Bonnie Raitt, has elected to follow
in her father's footsteps. She is one of Warner Brothers' top female recording
artists.
