Anita Pointer, one of the Grammy Award-winning Pointer Sisters, had a string of pop, country and R&B hits in the 1970s and 80s, including I’m So Excited, Jump (For My Love) and Fire. , died of cancer at the age of 74. she said.
Poynter was surrounded by family at his Beverly Hills home when he died Saturday, spokesman Roger Neal said.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, but are relieved to know she is with her daughter Jada and sisters June and Bonnie,” the family said in a statement. , was someone who kept us all close for a long time. Her love for our family will live on in each of us.”
According to the official biography, Anita was the second oldest of the four sisters who began performing as June and Bonnie’s duo in 1969, becoming a trio soon after Anita left her secretarial job to join the group. The Pointer Sisters later became a quartet with Ruth for a while and were the only surviving original singing sisters.
Anita’s daughter Jada died in 2003, leaving Anita to raise her granddaughter, Roxy McCain Poynter.
The sisters grew up singing at their father’s church in Oakland, California, who was a preacher.
Their 1973 debut album spawned their first hit single, Yes We Can Can.
Their biggest hits include 1978’s Fire, 1980’s He’s So Shy, 1981’s Slow Hand, 1983’s Neutron Dance, Automatic and Jump.
In recent years, the group has continued to perform, with Ruth singing along with her daughter Issa and granddaughter Sadako.