Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Watch Bonnie Raitt at the absolute zenith of her career, performing the hit single "Thing Called Love" from her multi-platinum, Grammy-winning album Nick of Time. This archival footage captures the raw energy and technical finesse of a blues-rock legend in her prime.

Raitt’s signature bottleneck slide guitar work is on full display here, blending grit with melodic precision. Backed by a world-class band featuring soulful brass and a pocket-perfect rhythm section, this performance is a definitive document of the late-80s roots-rock revival that Raitt spearheaded.

⚡ 5 Facts About the Show:

The Breakthrough Tour: This 1989 show occurred as Nick of Time was sweeping the Grammy Awards, marking Raitt’s transition from a critical favorite to a global superstar.

Slide Guitar Mastery: The song is a showcase for Raitt’s unique fingerstyle technique and her use of the glass slide on her 1969 Stratocaster, a sound that has become a benchmark for modern blues-rock.

Written by John Hiatt: While famously associated with Raitt, the song was originally penned by singer-songwriter John Hiatt, appearing on his 1987 album Bring the Family.

The Oakland Venue: The Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium was a legendary Bay Area stop for rock royalty; this professional recording captures the venue's intimate yet powerful acoustics.

A Cultural Staple: The performance of "Thing Called Love" became a mainstay of Raitt’s live sets and remains one of the most celebrated examples of female-led blues-rock in the 20th century.

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