John Raitt stands as a towering figure in the history of Broadway musicals, a handsome and charismatic leading man whose booming baritone voice captivated audiences for over six decades. Composer Richard Rodgers famously described him as “a big, brawny fellow with a magnificent baritone,” a testament to Raitt’s powerful presence and vocal prowess that defied age, allowing him to perform well into his 80s. His journey from California beginnings to Broadway stardom is a story of talent, dedication, and enduring appeal.
Born John Emmet Raitt on January 29, 1917, in Santa Ana, California, he was deeply influenced by his father, Archie John Raitt, a YMCA founder. His passion for theatre ignited during his time at Fullerton Union High School, where he graced the Plummer Auditorium stage in various plays and lent his voice to the chorus of “The Desert Song.” Raitt’s athletic abilities were equally impressive; he excelled in football and track, even securing the state title in shot-put in 1935. This athletic achievement earned him a track scholarship to USC, but his academic path led him to the University of Redlands, where he earned a degree in physical education.
While at the University of Redlands, Raitt’s vocal talents were nurtured through classical voice training. He showcased his burgeoning skills in university productions of “The Bartered Bride” and “Die Fledermaus.” Ultimately, his love for singing overshadowed his initial career aspirations in physical education. He dedicated himself to vocal studies under Richard Cummings, honing his craft while performing at local Rotary Clubs and YMCAs. His early professional experience included singing in the chorus of “HMS Pinafore” with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Company in 1940. By the following year, his talent propelled him into leading roles, including Figaro and Count Almaviva in “The Barber of Seville,” Escamillo in “Carmen,” and lead roles in operettas such as “Rose Marie” and “The Merry Widow.” This diverse training solidified his path towards musical theatre, where he felt his voice and dramatic abilities were best suited.
Hollywood beckoned, and MGM recognized Raitt’s leading man potential. He was signed and given minor roles in war-era musicals like Little Nellie Kelly (1940) and Ship Ahoy (1942), as well as in dramas such as Flight Command (1940) and H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941). However, frustrated by the slow pace of his film career, Raitt returned to the stage. His pivotal moment arrived when he landed the role of Curly in the Chicago production of the groundbreaking musical “Oklahoma!” in 1944. This success prompted him to leave Hollywood and move to New York City, the heart of Broadway.
Broadway critics immediately recognized Raitt’s commanding stage presence, powerful baritone voice, and unwavering confidence. He made his Broadway debut in 1945, originating the iconic role of Billy Bigelow, the complex and troubled carousel barker in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s masterpiece, “Carousel.” This performance marked the turning point in his career. Raitt’s emotionally charged rendition of “Soliloquy” became a signature moment, earning him the prestigious New York Drama Critics and Donaldson Awards, and recognition as one of the first recipients of the Theatre World Award for “Promising Personalities.” Despite the acclaim, he was surprisingly never nominated for a Tony Award for this or any subsequent performance. Nonetheless, Raitt continued to shine on Broadway in productions like “Magdalena” (1948), “Three Wishes for Jamie” (1952), and “Carnival in Flanders” (1953).
Television embraced Raitt’s talent, featuring him on numerous popular musical variety shows of the era, starting with “The Ed Wynn Show” in 1949. His television appearances expanded to include programs like “The Buick Circus Show,” “The Jane Froman Show,” “The Milton Berle Show,” “The Colgate Comedy Hour,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show,” “The Steve Allen Playhouse,” “Shirley Temple’s Storybook Theatre,” and “The Bell Telephone Hour.” In 1957, he starred as Frank Butler opposite Mary Martin in NBC-TV’s production of Annie Get Your Gun, and he also took on dramatic roles in series such as “General Electric Theater” and “Death Valley Days,” demonstrating his versatility as a performer.
In 1954, Raitt originated his second signature role, Sid Sorokin, the factory foreman in “The Pajama Game,” opposite Janis Paige. It was in this role that he introduced the timeless ballad “Hey There,” a song that became indelibly linked to his name. His portrayal of Sid Sorokin was so definitive that he was chosen to reprise the role in the film adaptation of The Pajama Game, this time alongside Doris Day. While the film was a commercial success, the decline of musical films limited further cinematic opportunities for Raitt.
For the following decades, Raitt dedicated himself to touring, revisiting the roles that had endeared him to audiences – Curly, Billy, and Sid. His return to Broadway with A Joyful Noise (1966) and A Musical Jubilee (1975) were short-lived. However, he found enduring success in touring productions of musicals such as “Camelot,” “Shenandoah,” “1776,” “South Pacific,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Kismet,” “New Moon,” “Zorba,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” In a surprising turn, he even appeared as a singing trucker in a 1986 episode of “Third Rock from the Sun,” showcasing his willingness to explore different avenues.
Even in his later years, John Raitt’s passion for performance remained undiminished. He toured extensively with his one-man show, “An Evening with John Raitt,” performing 23 songs from 16 Broadway musicals. His contributions to theatre were formally recognized with inductions into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in 2001. Throughout his career, he recorded 14 albums, including John Raitt: The Broadway Legend (1995). John Raitt’s true legacy lies in his vibrant presence on the live musical and concert stages – where he was, and always will be, “First Raitt!”
In his personal life, John Raitt married pianist Marjorie Haydock in 1942. Their children included Bonnie Raitt, the celebrated blues-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, inheriting her father’s musical genes. They often shared the stage in concert in later years. His son David Raitt became a graphic and title designer. After living in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, John Raitt passed away at the age of 88 on February 20, 2005, due to complications from pneumonia. He was survived by his third wife, Rosemary Kraemer, having been divorced twice previously. John Raitt’s life and career remain a testament to the enduring power of talent, hard work, and a captivating baritone voice that resonated with generations of musical theatre lovers.
