Karla Bonoff

Born on December 27, 1951, in Santa Monica, California, Karla Bonoff developed an early passion for music. By the age of fifteen, she was already engaged in songwriting, often collaborating with her sister, Lisa, as a duo. Her early career also involved contributing background vocals for fellow musicians such as Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman. Bonoff’s work as a songwriter gained significant recognition when Linda Ronstadt recorded several of her songs, including “Someone To Lay Down Beside Me,” “Lose Again,” and “If He’s Ever Near” for Ronstadt’s 1976 album, *Hasten Down the Wind*. This collaboration significantly raised Bonoff’s profile in the music industry.

Bonoff transitioned into a solo recording artist in 1977, signing with Columbia Records and releasing her self-titled debut album. Throughout her career, she has released multiple albums, including *Restless Nights* (1979), *Wild Heart of the Young* (1982), *New World* (1988), and a greatest hits collection, *All My Life* (1999). Her song “Personally” became a notable hit, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1982. Karla Bonoff has also contributed songs to film soundtracks, such as “Somebody’s Eyes” for *Footloose* (1984) and “Standing Right Next To Me” for *8 Seconds* (1994).

Additionally, Bonoff was a member of the group Bryndle, formed in the late 1960s with Wendy Waldman, Kenny Edwards, and Andrew Gold. While initially releasing only one single in 1970, the group later released studio albums in 1995 and 2002, and a live album. Bonoff’s songwriting has also seen success through covers by artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, and Lynn Anderson. She collaborated with Aaron Neville on the Grammy-winning duet “All My Life” in 1989. Bonoff continues to tour and record, releasing acoustic versions in *Carry Me Home* (2018) and a Christmas album, *Silent Night* (2020), further cementing her legacy as a respected singer-songwriter.