Bonnie Raitt is one of the early modern-day girls with guitars — fierce, feisty and blessed.
Her blessings include a bluesy, unaffected voice that crosses boulevards dividing blues and rock, country and folk, pop and pop standards. Her interpretations of classic blues standards earned the redhaired singer fans who have stuck by her through the decades.
Over almost 40 years, she’s teetered on the edge of superstardom and obscurity; it took her nearly 20 years before she had her breakthrough commercial hit. Her 10th album, “Nick of Time,” earned three Grammy Awards in 1989, including album of the year.
Raitt, 58, has a steadfast soft spot for the environment. Her concert Friday at Casino del Sol’s AVA, her first Tucson appearance since a Centennial Hall date 10 years ago, will benefit the Center for Biological Diversity. The Tucson-based nonprofit is dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places.
Fellow bluesman Robert Cray, who has a few Grammys of his own, shares the bill on Friday night.
If you go
• What: Bonnie Raitt in concert, with Robert Cray.
• When: 8 p.m. Friday.
• Where: Casino del Sol’s AVA, 5655 W. Valencia Road.
• Cost: $40-$85.
• More info: www.avaconcerts. com.
