Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters dies at 74

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

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

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

The Pointer Sisters later became a quartet for a while with Ruth, the only one of the original Singing Sisters still alive, 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’s death was preceded by her daughter, Jada, who died in 2003, when Anita took over the upbringing of her granddaughter, Roxy McCain-Poynter.

“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 two sisters, John and Bonnie, and at peace. She was the one who kept us all close and together for so long. Her love for our family will live on in each of us,” the family said in a statement.

Both sisters were raised in the church of their father, who is a preacher in Oakland, California.

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

Among their biggest hits were 1978’s “Fire”, 1980’s “He’s So Shy”, 1981’s “Slow Hand”, 1983’s “Neutron Dance”, “Automatic” and “Jump”. Shy” from 1982 is still a benchmark.

In recent years, the band has continued to sing with Ruth along with her daughter Issei and granddaughter Sadako.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta). Editing by Kim Coghill

Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.