Terrible way to start the new year with news of another death.
Anita Pointer, who founded the Pointer Sisters with her real sisters June, Bonnie, and Ruth, has died at age 74.
Her publicist says she was surrounded by family, but does not give a cause of death.
Here’s the family statement: “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. She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”
The Pointer Sisters hit it big in the early 70s with hits like “Yes We Can Can” and “Betcha Got A Chick on the Side.” They were R&B favorites.
But then they hooked up with star producer Richard Perry and their lives changed. Beginning with a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire,” the Pointers had hit after hit with “Jump,” “I’m So Excited,” “Slow Hand,” “Automatic,” “Dare Me,” “He’s So Shy,” “Neutron Dance,” and so on. They were atop the music industry for a full decade after that.
What a shame. I loved the Pointer Sisters so much in the mid 80s, they were the perfect combination of R&B, funk, and disco. And they could sing like crazy! Condolences to Anita’s family and friends.
