Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
Linda Ronstadt & Bonnie Raitt – “Blowing Away”
When Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt joined their voices for “Blowing Away” during a 1979 tribute to the late Lowell George, the result was far more than a beautiful duet—it became a deeply moving meeting of two extraordinary musical spirits. Written by Eric Kaz, the song had already been recorded by Raitt in 1975 before Ronstadt included her own version on the 1978 album Living in the USA. Yet hearing them perform it together gave the song an entirely new emotional dimension.
Ronstadt’s voice rises with remarkable clarity and power, carrying both strength and vulnerability in every phrase. Beside her, Raitt brings a warmer, earthier quality shaped by blues, folk, and years of singing from the heart. Their voices are different, but that contrast is precisely what makes the performance so unforgettable. Ronstadt seems to send each note soaring into the room, while Raitt gently anchors the melody with her soulful tone and instinctive phrasing.
There is no sense of competition between them. Instead, they listen closely, responding to one another with the quiet understanding of artists who respect both the music and the person standing beside them. Their harmonies feel natural and unforced, as though the two singers are sharing a private confession through the song. Every glance and every blended note carries tenderness, memory, and an awareness of how quickly life can change.
The tribute setting adds even greater weight to the performance. With the loss of Lowell George still painfully fresh, “Blowing Away” becomes a meditation on love, loneliness, and the fragile nature of time. The emotion is powerful, yet neither singer allows it to become overly dramatic. They trust the melody and the meaning of the words.
Decades later, this performance still feels immediate. It captures Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt at a moment when their voices, friendship, and shared musical heritage came together perfectly. “Blowing Away” is not simply a duet from the past—it is a timeless reminder that the most unforgettable performances are often created when great artists stop trying to impress and simply tell the truth through music.
Watch Linda Ronstadt & Bonnie Raitt perform “Blowing Away”
Video