Steph Deschamps / January 2, 2023
American singer Anita Pointer, who enjoyed success in the 1970s and 1980s with her sisters in the rhythm and blues group Pointer Sisters, died Saturday at the age of 74 of cancer, her agent announced. "I am sad to announce that my Grammy-winning client Anita Pointer has passed away after a heroic battle with cancer," Roger Neal said on Instagram.
She died at her home in Los Angeles surrounded by her family, he told CNN. Her loved ones spoke in a statement, "Despite our deep sadness at the loss of Anita, we are comforted to know she is now with her daughter Jada and sisters June and Bonnie, and at peace."
The group, originating from Oakland, California, was originally formed by Anita and her sisters June (deceased in April 2006), Bonnie (deceased in June 2020) and Ruth. They had started singing in the church where their father was a pastor in Oakland.
The Pointer Sisters, initially influenced by jazz, be-bop and gospel, released their first album in 1973 and won three Grammy Awards during their career. They were invited to Nashville's legendary Grand Ole Opry, a first for black artists.
Bonnie launched her solo career in 1977, but that didn't stop her sisters from having more hits in the 1980s.