Founder of the Grammy-winning group The Pointer Sisters, Bonnie Pointer, died at the age of 69 in Los Angeles.
What We Know:
- The Pointer Sisters, the group that brought the funk, soul, jazz, and retro sound to not only their music but also to their fashion, has dealt with the tragic loss of their founding member, Bonnie Pointer, who died Monday at the age of 69.
- According to publicist Roger Neal, Bonnie Pointer died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles.
- One of the oldest sisters and members, Anika Pointer, gave a statement to CNN about how the family is dealing with their loss. “Our family is devastated, on behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time,” she said. “Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day. We never fought for our life. I already miss her and I will see her again one day.”
- The Pointer Sisters got their start in 1969 when Bonnie and June, the youngest sibling, started as a duo, until later when the older siblings Anita and Ruth joined. In 1973, the sisters debuted their first self titled album, which contained songs like “Yes We Can Can”, “River Boulevard”, “That’s How I Feel”, and “Sugar”.
- The following year, The Pointer Sisters received their first Grammy for best country vocal performance by a group with “Fairytale”, a country song about a failing relationship, which led them to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Bonnie Pointer was also famous for her song “Heaven Must Have Sent You” after she signed as a solo artist in 1977 with Motown Records, which devastated the entire group and caused them to end. Despite this, three of the sisters did eventually regroup in the 1980s and performed their hits like “Jump (For My Love)” and “He’s So Shy”.
- Bonnie did reunite with her sisters for public appearances in 1994 when they received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 1996 for a performance in Las Vegas.
- However, in 2006, the group faced a loss when June Pointer died. And now, Bonnie Pointer joins her sister June.
Just like June, Bonnie will be greatly missed by thousands.
