In this file photo, Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters performs at the Alfred Mann Foundation’s 3rd Annual Inspiration and Innovation Gala on September 9, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
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In this file photo, Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters performs at the Alfred Mann Foundation’s 3rd Annual Inspiration and Innovation Gala on September 9, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Phil McCarten/AP
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Anita Pointer, one of four singer siblings who achieved pop success and critical acclaim as The Pointer Sisters, died Saturday at the age of 74, her journalist announced.
The Grammy Award winner passed away while she was with family members, journalist Roger Neal said in a statement. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
“While we are deeply saddened by Anita’s passing, we are comforted to know that she is now with her daughter Jada and sisters June & Bonnie in peace. keeps us all close and together for a long time,” her sister Ruth, annoy Aaron and Fritz and niece Roxie McKain Pointer said in the statement.
Anita Pointer’s only daughter, Jada Pointer, died in 2003.
Anita, Ruth, Bonnie and June Pointer, born the daughter of a pastor, grew up singing in their father’s church in Oakland, California.
The group’s 1973 eponymous debut album included the breakout hit, “Yes We Can Can.” Known for hit songs like “I’m So Excited,” “Slow Hand,” “Neutron Dance,” and “Jump (For My Love),” the singers earned a star on the Walk of Fame. Hollywood in 1994.
The 1983 album “Break Out” went triple platinum and won two American Music Awards. Neal said the group has won three Grammy Awards and had 13 songs that reached the US top 20 hits between 1973 and 1985.
Neal said The Pointer Sisters were also the first African-American group to perform in the Grand Ole Opry and the first contemporary musical to perform at the San Francisco Opera.
Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1977, signing a solo contract with Motown Records but with only modest success. Anita Pointer said of her departure in 1990: “We were heartbroken. We did a show the night she left, but then we stopped. We thought it wouldn’t be. works without Bonnie.”
The group, with various lineups including younger family members, continued to record until 1993.
June Pointer died of cancer at the age of 52 in 2006.
Anita pointer announced The death of the Bonnie pointer due to cardiac arrest at the age of 69 in 2020. “The Pointer Sisters would never have happened without Bonnie,” she said in a statement.
