Anita Pointer, Founding Member Of The Pointer Sisters, Dies At 74
Anita Pointer was a founding sister of the Pointer Sisters, but she died today at the age of 74 after a lengthy battle with cancer, her publicist announced tonight. Via Deadline:
“Sad to report my client, Grammy Winner Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters, has passed away after a heroic battle with cancer,” Pointer’s publicist Roger Neal wrote on social media.
“Her family was around her at the time of her death. She passed peacefully. While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace,” the Pointer family said in a statement. “Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”
[Deadline]
Ruth Pointer is now the last surviving Pointer sister.
An interview with Anita Pointer from 2009:
The Pointer Sisters had a string of massive hits in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, starting with “Fire,” with Anita singing lead vocals for the full song (which was written by Bruce Springsteen):
Another classic, “He’s So Shy,” with June singing lead on this one:
The instantly recognizable “Slow Hand”:
One of the most iconic pop songs of all time, “I’m So Excited”:
“Neutron Dance” was another top 10 hit, after being featured prominently in Beverly Hills Cop, and Ruth sang lead here:
Other than TLC (and to a much lesser degree, maybe Destiny’s Child, although they were essentially a solo act with Beyoncé and rotating back-up singers), there’s been no other modern female pop/R&B group that had this much talent and this many hits. Their best record was “Jump,” which won the 1985 Grammy for Best Pop Song by a Group:
