Early musical career and Bryndle During the 1960s and 1970s, Bonoff became involved in the
Los Angeles singer-songwriter community centered around venues such as the
Troubadour. She later co-founded the group
Bryndle with
Kenny Edwards,
Wendy Waldman, and
Andrew Gold. The group represented an early songwriter collective model that predated similar commercially successful bands of the era. Bryndle recorded material for
A&M Records; however, the album was not released at the time, and the group initially disbanded. Despite this, its members went on to significant individual careers and later reconvened in various configurations.
Solo career Bonoff was signed as a solo artist by
Columbia Records in 1977.,
If He’s Ever Near, and
Lose Again. Her debut also featured
I Can’t Hold On, which achieved regional radio success. She toured extensively following the release of her first album, including appearances supporting artists such as
James Taylor and
Jackson Browne. Critical reception during this period identified her as an emerging figure within the Los Angeles singer-songwriter movement. Her subsequent albums,
Restless Nights (1979) and
Wild Heart of the Young (1982), further established her career as a vocalist and songwriter. These recordings featured contributions from prominent session musicians and collaborators, including
Russ Kunkel,
Joe Walsh,
Waddy Wachtel,
Don Henley,
Timothy B. Schmit, and others. The single “Personally,” though not written by Bonoff, became one of her most commercially successful recordings, reaching #19 on the US Charts.
Songwriting and collaborations Bonoff’s songwriting gained wider recognition through interpretations by other artists.
Linda Ronstadt’s album
Hasten Down the Wind (1976) included multiple Bonoff compositions, contributing significantly to her early reputation as a songwriter. Her work also appeared in film and television contexts. She co-wrote material for
About Last Night with
J.D. Souther and contributed vocals to film soundtracks, including
Footloose and
8 Seconds. Her 1994 recording “
Standing Right Next to Me” achieved Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart success. In 1990, Bonoff contributed songs to
Linda Ronstadt’s album
Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind, including “
All My Life,” which won a
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. The song also became widely used in wedding music contexts. In 2019, she released
Carry Me Home, an album featuring re-recordings of earlier material alongside new compositions. In 2020, she released a holiday-themed album,
Silent Night, which received critical recognition and was included in year-end music listings by major media outlets. She performs year round in major music clubs and theaters in markets throughout America and internationally. == Legacy and reception ==