Anita Pointer, one of the founding members of the R&B group, The Pointer Sisters, has passed away at age 74.
Pointer’s publicist, Roger Neal, shared in a statement, “Sad to report my client Grammy Winner Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters has passed away after a heroic battle with cancer her family was around her at the time of her death she passed peacefully”.
The Pointer Sisters rose to fame in the 1970s and received positive praise for their debut self-titled album. “Yes We Can Can” and “Wang Dang Doodle” afforded the group top charting spots on the Billboard 100 and R&B Charts. The group grew to be lauded for both their be-bop, jazz style of music and thrift shop style.
The Oakland, California group had its origins as a pair of sisters – Bonnie and June Pointer. The line-up expanded to a trio when Anita join them, and then became a quartet when Ruth joined in December 1972. Bonnie eventually left the group in 1978 to pursue a solo career.
Anita is preceded in death by sisters June Pointer in 2006 and Bonnie Pointer in 2020. Pointer’s only daughter, Jada Pointer, who had inspired the 1973 Pointer Sisters song “Jada,” died of cancer in 2003, after which Anita dedicated herself to raising her only grandchild, Roxie.
The Pointer Sisters achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1980s. The group released seven albums within that decade that solidified their position in the pop/R&B market. “He’s So Shy”, “I’m So Excited”, “Slow Hand”, “Jump (For My Love)” were top charting tracks that were in heavy rotation in video new channel, MTV.
“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,” Pointer’s family said in a statement. “Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”