The Pointer Sisters

History

Growing up in West Oakland, the Pointer sisters and their brothers were raised by Reverend Elton and Sarah Pointer, who came from Arkansas. Their parents encouraged them to sing gospel music and brought them to a local Church of God in Christ congregation, where they performed regularly. Rock and roll and the blues were forbidden in the household, labeled "the devil's music," so the children only sang those styles when their parents weren't around.

As the sisters got older, their interest in other musical genres expanded. The sisters were first cousins of NBA player and coach Paul Silas, and they were also siblings of Aaron Pointer. Aaron played Major League Baseball but became less famous than his sisters, a rare situation; he later worked as an NFL official for 17 seasons. Anita, the second oldest, was also married and had a child named Jada.

Bonnie, the third oldest, and June, the youngest, decided to pursue show business and formed a duo called Pointers Au Pair. Anita later left her job to join them. The group began touring and performing, providing backing vocals for artists like Grace Slick, Sylvester, Boz Scaggs, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, and Betty Davis. The singles they released on Atlantic didn't become hits, but the sisters enjoyed their early recording work.

"Send Him Back" remains popular with Northern soul fans worldwide. The quartet then signed with Blue Thumb Records and started recording their first album.

Personal lives

The Pointer Sisters' mother, Sarah, passed away in November 2000. June, who struggled with drug addiction, died of cancer on April 11, 2006, at age 52; a family statement noted that Ruth, Anita, and brothers Aaron and Fritz were with her. Shortly after, on May 4, 2006, Bonnie told Entertainment Tonight that her sisters had ignored June's burial wishes, opting for cremation because it was cheaper, and that she was not allowed in the family car at the funeral. Anita and Ruth countered that Bonnie had wanted to rejoin the group and was upset after being turned down, adding that June left no burial instructions. The sisters appeared estranged from Bonnie until she appeared with Anita on the Idol Radio Show in 2007. She filed for divorce from Motown producer Jeffrey Bowen on July 1, 2014. Anita died from cancer on December 31, 2022.