Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters dead at 74

Dec 31 (Reuters) – Anita Pointer, one of the Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters, whose string of pop, country and R&B hits in the 1970s and 1980s included “I’m So Excited,” “Jump (For My Love)” and “Fire,” died of cancer on Saturday at the age of 74, her publicist said.

Pointer was surrounded by family at her Beverly Hills home when she died, publicist Roger Neal said.

Anita was the second eldest of four sisters who began performing as a duo with June and Bonnie in 1969 and quickly became a trio when Anita quit her job as a secretary to join the band, according to an official biography.

The Pointer Sisters then became a quartet for a time with Ruth the only surviving original singer sister, although Bonnie left the group in the late 1970s and they became a trio again. The Pointer sisters also have two surviving brothers, Fritz and Aaron.

Anita was predeceased by her daughter Jada, who died in 2003, when Anita took over the education of her granddaughter, Roxie McKain Pointer.

“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted to know that she is now with her daughter Jada and her sisters June and Bonnie and at peace. She is the one who has kept us all close and together. for so long. His love for our family will live on in all of us,” the family said in a statement.

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

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

Among their biggest hits were “Fire” in 1978, “He’s So Shy” in 1980, “Slow Hand” in 1981, and “Neutron Dance”, “Automatic” and “Jump” in 1983. “I’m So Excited” by 1982 remains a standard.

In recent years the group has continued to perform with Ruth singing along with her daughter Issa and granddaughter Sadako.

Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Kim Coghill

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