Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters Useless at 74

By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) – Anita Pointer, one of many Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters whose string of pop, nation and R&B hits within the Seventies and ’80s included “I’m So Excited,” “Soar (For My Love)” and “Hearth,” died of most cancers on Saturday at age 74, her publicist mentioned.

Pointer was surrounded by household at her Beverly Hills dwelling when she died, publicist Roger Neal mentioned.

Anita was the second oldest of 4 sisters who began performing because the duo of June and Bonnie in 1969 and shortly turned a trio when Anita stop her job as a secretary to affix the group, in line with an official biography.

The Pointer Sisters later turned a quartet for some time with Ruth, the one one of many authentic singing sisters nonetheless alive, although Bonnie left the group within the late Seventies and so they turned a trio as soon as once more. The Pointer sisters even have two surviving brothers, Fritz and Aaron.

Anita was preceded in demise by her daughter Jada, who died in 2003, when Anita took over elevating her granddaughter, Roxie McKain Pointer.

“Whereas we’re deeply saddened by the lack of Anita, we’re comforted in realizing she is now together with her daughter Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace. She was the one which saved all of us shut and collectively for therefore lengthy. Her love of our household will dwell on in every of us,” the household mentioned in a press release.

The sisters grew up singing within the church of their father, a preacher in Oakland, California.

Their debut album in 1973 produced their first hit single “Sure We Can Can.”

Amongst their larger hits had been “Hearth” in 1978, “He’s So Shy” in 1980, “Gradual Hand” in 1981, and “Neutron Dance,” “Computerized” and “Soar” in 1983. “I’m So Excited” from 1982 stays a typical.

Lately, the group continued performing with Ruth singing alongside together with her daughter Issa and granddaughter Sadako.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Modifying by Kim Coghill)