Anita Pointer of Pointer Sisters useless at 74

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 am So Excited, Bounce (For My Love) and Fireplace, 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 give up her job as a secretary to affix the group, in keeping 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 they usually turned a trio as soon as once more. The Pointer sisters even have two surviving brothers, Fritz and Aaron.

Anita was preceded in dying 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 figuring out she is now together with her daughter Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace. She was the one which stored all of us shut and collectively for thus lengthy. Her love of our household will reside on in every of us,” the household mentioned in an announcement.

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

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

Amongst their greater hits had been Fireplace in 1978, He is So Shy in 1980, Sluggish Hand in 1981, and Neutron Dance, Computerized and Bounce in 1983. I am So Excited from 1982 stays a typical.

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