Bonnie Raitt to Join James Taylor, Post-Surgery

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Bonnie Raitt announced on April 30 that due to an unexpected medical situation that requires immediate attention, the 68-year-old singer-songwriter had to cancel her involvement in the first part of James Taylor’s 2018 tour.

On June 18, Taylor posted a video postcard welcoming her return to the stage on June 22 in St. Paul, MN. Watch it below.

On May 24, Raitt’s social media team offered this update: “Bonnie is incredibly touched by all of the well wishes and kind messages that have been sent her way. She is on the mend and is really looking forward to rejoining James Taylor and His All-Star Band on tour in St. Paul, MN on June 22nd. She sends her love and can’t wait to play for you all again.”

Watch Taylor’s video postcard

A Postcard to Bonnie

James cannot wait to welcome Bonnie Raitt back to tour on June 22!

Posted by James Taylor on Monday, June 18, 2018

Raitt shared the video with her fans, writing: “So touched by all the love that went into creating this. Thank you, dear James, your team and all those wonderful fans for lifting me up during my recovery. So excited to be rejoining the tour this week! I’ll treasure this gift always.”

Raitt’s Facebook page posted the following on April 30:

“We are extremely sorry to announce that Bonnie Raitt will need to miss the first leg of her tour with James Taylor due to a medical situation. Following her annual physical, it was determined she needs to schedule some surgery soon. The prognosis is good and a full recovery is expected.”

“I’m deeply sorry to have to disappoint my fans, James and colleagues with these cancellations,” said Raitt in a statement. “I was so looking forward to our tour, but I’m very grateful that the doctors feel this can be taken care of with surgery. I’m feeling strong and am in great hands with my wonderful team. I fully expect to return for the second leg of the U.S. tour in June followed by our European tour in July.

“Thank you all for your concern and understanding that the best gift you could give me is respecting my wish for privacy and giving me space to heal. Can’t wait to see you all back on the road again soon!”

Related: Raitt performed at Jazz Fest two days before she originally shared her health news

Watch the pair perform a favorite together in 2017

Taylor posted a note on his website. “This summer was to be Bonnie’s and my second summer touring together. We wanted to do it again because it was such good fun the first time, we didn’t want it to end. We are so looking forward to having her rejoin the tour in mid-June. Of course, there is no question as to the priority of your health, Bonnie. You will be constantly in our hearts and minds until we see you in June.”

The singer-songwriting pair played to sold-out crowds last summer.

In Raitt’s absence, the first leg of the 2018 tour, which kicked off in Jacksonville, FL on May 8, changed to an “Evening with James Taylor & His All-Star Band,” featuring two sets with a brief intermission. Sheryl Crow joined Taylor as a special guest in Phoenix, AZ on May 29 and for two nights at the Hollywood Bowl on May 31 and June 1.

Taylor, who turned 70 on March 11, is also opening for the Eagles for two shows: July 26 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC and July 28 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

They’re also on the bill for two of Paul Simon’s farewell performances, in Dublin and London.

Tickets for Taylor’s 2018 tour are available here and here.

Jun 22 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Jun 23 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Jun 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Jun 26 – Indianpolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Jun 28 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Jun 30 – Columbus, OH – Scottenstein Center
Jul 01 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Jul 03 – Lenox, MA – Tanglewood (An Evening with James Taylor & His All-Star Band)
Jul 04 – Lenox, MA – Tanglewood (An Evening with James Taylor & His All-Star Band)
Jul 09 – Manchester, U.K. – Manchester Arena
Jul 10 – Glasgow, U.K. – SSE Hydro Arena
Jul 12 – Leeds, U.K. – First Direct Arena
Jul 13 – Dublin, Ireland – RDS Arena (with Paul Simon, Raitt)
Jul 15 – London, England – Hyde Park (with Paul Simon, Raitt)
Jul 17 – Cardiff, Wales, U.K. – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Jul 20 – Lucca, Italy – Lucca Piazza Napoleone
Jul 22 – Pompei, Italy – Anfiteatro Scavi
Jul 23 – Rome, Italy – Roma Terme di Caracalla
Jul 26 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park (with Eagles)
Jul 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park (with Eagles)

Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours

 

Best Classic Bands Staff

1 Comment so far

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  1. Jon (UK based)
    #1 Jon (UK based) 4 February, 2020, 04:45

    I’m a big fan of Bonnie Raitt, great to see her performing like a champ 🙂

    Surgery is draining but she’s a star.

    Great site btw guys!

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