The Pointer Sisters are a singing group who used a variety of musical genres to produce a unique and catchy sound. Rooted in pop and R&B, their style added elements of funk, jazz, disco, and even new wave on foot tapping numbers, and harmonized beautifully for the soulful songs. They released a string of hits in the 1970s and ‘80s, then continued performing through the 2010s.
The Oakland based group began when June and Bonnie Pointer started performing at clubs in 1969. Their sisters Anita and Ruth joined in the early ‘70s, and they recorded their debut album, a country record that won a Grammy. The group appeared in the 1976 film Car Wash, which instigated a change in their style, and Bonnie left a year later to start her solo career.
The Pointer Sisters’ biggest commercial success came in the 1980s, starting with “He’s So Shy,” which reached No. 3 on the charts. A year later “Slow Hand” soared to No. 2 and the 1950s style throwback “Should I Do It” broke the Top 20. Their next album, So Excited! introduced the early version of “I’m So Excited” and the patriotic tune, “American Music.”
Their next album, Break Out, was just that – filled with break out hits, including four Top 10 singles in a row. “Automatic” went to No. 5, “Jump (For My Love)” reached No. 3, the remixed “I’m So Excited” hit No. 9, and “Neutron Dance” was a No. 6 hit. The album earned them two Grammy Awards.
Break Out proved to be the peak of their career and their final Top 10 hits. They released five more albums through the early ‘90s, seeing a No. 11 hit with “Dare Me” and then “Goldmine” reached No. 33.
The band saw lineup changes over the years, though consistently stayed in the family. Younger sister June was part of the band until her death in 2006. The next incarnation included Anita and Ruth with Ruth’s daughter, Issa, and Ruth’s granddaughter, Sadako.
Their music has been featured in movies and TV shows in everything from Beverly Hills Cop to Love, Actually to Stranger Things. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in ’94 and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005.
