Pointer Sisters, The

The Pointer Sisters began when sisters June and Bonnie Pointer, from Oakland, California, began performing in clubs in 1969. The line-up grew to a trio when sister Anita joined them.

The sisters got a record deal with Atlantic Records and released several unsuccessful singles, becoming a quartet for a while with the addition of sister Ruth. Bonnie left the group in 1978 to commence a solo career with modest success.

The sisters hit the charts in 1979 with Fire but achieved their greatest commercial success during the 1980s with top 10 hits including Slow Hand (1981), Jump (For My Love) (1984), I’m So Excited (1984), Automatic (1984) and Neutron Dance (1985).

Youngest sister June struggled with drug addiction for much of her career and left the group in April 2004. She died from cancer in April 2006, at the age of 52.

She was replaced in the group by Ruth’s daughter, Issa. This trio had a #2 hit in Belgium in 2005, covering Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves with Belgian singer Natalia.

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