The Pointer Sisters

The Pointer Sisters Artistfacts

  • 1969-
    Anita Pointer1969- 2015
    Bonnie Pointer1969-1977
    June Pointer1969-2002
    Ruth Pointer1972-
    Issa Pointer2002-
    Sadako Pointer2009-
  • The Pointer Sisters are a vocal group from Oakland, California. They have released music in various genres, including pop, rock, jazz, funk, R&B, bebop, blues, northern soul and country, but are best known for their energetic and upbeat disco and dance-pop hits like "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)" and "Automatic."
  • The Pointer Sisters originated when sisters June and Bonnie began performing in clubs in 1969 as "Pointers, A Pair." The lineup expanded to a trio later in the year when sister Anita quit her job as a secretary to join them. From then on, they called themselves The Pointer Sisters.
  • The trio grew to a quartet when sister Ruth joined in December 1972. The Pointer Sisters signed with Blue Thumb Records, and released their self-titled debut album, along with their first hit single, "Yes We Can Can," in 1973.
  • They broke barriers in country music with their 1974 song "Fairytale," written by Anita and Bonnie and recorded in Nashville with session players who gave it some twang. They became the first Black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville when they sang it there on October 25, 1974. When the song won the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group in 1975, they became the first Black female group to win a Grammy in a country category.
  • Bonnie left The Pointers in 1977 to pursue a solo career. She scored several moderate solo hits, including a disco cover of the Elgins' "Heaven Must Have Sent You," which peaked at #11 in 1979.
  • Their greatest success came in the 1980s as the trio of June, Ruth, and Anita. They racked up six Hot 100 Top 10 hits between 1980 and 1984 and won Grammy Awards for "Automatic" and "Jump (For My Love)."
  • The Pointer Sisters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
  • June left the group in 2004 and Anita in 2015; both passed away from cancer, June in 2006 and Anita in 2022.
  • June, Ruth, Anita and Bonnie's older brother, Aaron Pointer, was a Major League Baseball player and later a referee in the National Football League.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.