The Pointer Sisters

As children raised in a deeply religious family who only listened to gospel music, Oakland, California’s Pointer Sisters were brought up to believe that rock 'n' roll and blues were ‘the devil's music.’ However, they soon embraced other styles after June Pointer decided she wanted a showbusiness career and started singing in nightclubs, then forming a duo with her sister Bonnie. In time Anita Pointer also joined as they toured and sang backing vocals with acts like Grace Slick, Elvin Bishop and Boz Scaggs. When fourth sister Ruth joined, they developed a jazzy scat singing style, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1973, which included the R&B hit “Yes We Can Can.” For their second album That's A Plenty (1974), they incorporated a country music influence on another hit, “Fairytale.” In 1975, they established a full-on R&B sound for on the album Steppin', which featured another breakthrough hit, “How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side).” The Pointer Sisters continued to release a series of hits including “Fire” (1978), “He's So Shy” (1980), “Slowhand” (1981), “Automatic” (1984), “Jump (For My Love)” (1984), and “I'm So Excited” (1984). However, touring took its toll and Bonnie had left by 1977 and June took a year off between 1977 and 1978. By the late 1980s, the hits had dried up and the group cut back on their touring schedule. They released their last studio album, Only Sisters Can Do That, in 1993. June Pointer died on April 11, 2006, at the age of 52. In 2009, Bonnie returned to the fold for another chapter in the Pointer Sisters' story. Anita retired for health reasons in 2015, and Bonnie suffered a fatal heart attack on June 8, 2020, at the age of 69. Ruth continues to keep the family business going strong alongside her daughter, Issa, and granddaughter, Sadako, who have performed as the Pointer Sisters since 2009. Anita Pointer died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 74.