The Pointer Sisters are an American Grammy Award-winning Pop/R&B recording act from Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Soul music is a Music genre that combines Rhythm and blues and Gospel music, originating in the United States. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure This article is about music for dancing in general You may also be looking for Electronic dance music. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Blue Thumb Records was an American Record label founded in 1968 by Bob Krasnow, along with former A&M Records executives Tommy ABC Records started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records the record label of Am-Par Record Corporation (a subsidiary of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. SBK Records was a Record label started in the late 1980s Stephen Swid, Select Records' Jevon Tompkins Martin Bandier and Charles Koppelman formed Anita Pointer (born January 23 1948, in Oakland California) is an American R&B / soul Singer-songwriter and a Ruth Pointer-Sayles (born March 19, 1946 in Oakland California) is an American R&B singer best known for being the eldest member Issa Pointer (born Issa Kuren Edwards Pointer on January 22, 1978 in California) is the daughter of Pointer Sisters member Ruth Pointer Patricia "Bonnie" Pointer (born July 11 1950, Oakland, California) is an American R&B and Disco June Antoinette Pointer Whitmore ( November 30, 1953 – April 11, 2006) was an American Pop/ The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Spanning over three decades together, their repertoire has included diverse genres as pop music, disco, jazz, bebop, country, soul, funk, dance, new wave and rock. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Bebop or bop is a form of Jazz characterized by fast Tempos and Improvisation based on Harmonic structure rather than Melody Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Soul music is a Music genre that combines Rhythm and blues and Gospel music, originating in the United States. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul This article is about music for dancing in general You may also be looking for Electronic dance music. New Wave is a Rock music genre that existed during the late 1970s and the 1980s Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums.

The group had its early origins when sisters June and Bonnie Pointer began performing in 1969 (without a record deal) as "Pointers, a Pair". June Antoinette Pointer Whitmore ( November 30, 1953 – April 11, 2006) was an American Pop/ Patricia "Bonnie" Pointer (born July 11 1950, Oakland, California) is an American R&B and Disco The line-up grew to a quartet when Anita Pointer joined, followed by Ruth, who joined in 1972, right before they recorded their debut album. Anita Pointer (born January 23 1948, in Oakland California) is an American R&B / soul Singer-songwriter and a Ruth Pointer-Sayles (born March 19, 1946 in Oakland California) is an American R&B singer best known for being the eldest member They achieved their greatest commercial success later as a trio consisting of Anita, June, and Ruth, after Bonnie left the group to commence a solo career.

History

Early days

As children the girls were encouraged to sing gospel music by their parents Reverend Elton and Mrs Sarah Pointer, but in their household they were told rock and roll and the blues were "the devil's music", and it was only when they were away from their watchful parents that they could sing these styles of music. Gospel music is Music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life as well as (in terms of the varying music styles to Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression They regularly sang at the church but as they grew older their love of other styles of music began to grow. When June brought home a copy of the Elvis Presley record All Shook Up, she was surprised that her mother allowed her to play it, until she discovered that her mother had been pacified by the "B" side of the Presley record "Crying in The Chapel". " All Shook Up " is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley.

After leaving school it was Bonnie who sought a show business career, and she convinced June to join her to form a duo, "Pointers, A Pair". Shortly after this, Anita quit her job to join the group. They began touring and performing and provided backing vocals for such artists as Grace Slick, Sylvester James, Boz Scaggs and Elvin Bishop, and it was while supporting Bishop at a nightclub appearance that the sisters were signed to a recording deal with Atlantic Records in 1971. Grace Slick (born Grace Barnett Wing on October 30, 1939) is an American Singer and Songwriter, who was one of Boz Scaggs (born William Royce Scaggs, 8 June 1944, Canton, Ohio) is an American Singer, Songwriter Elvin Bishop (born October 21 1942, Glendale, California) is an American Blues and Rock and roll Musician Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock The resulting singles that came from their Atlantic tenure failed to win an audience but the sisters were enjoying themselves, and the temptation to join them finally overwhelmed Ruth. Before they began to record their first album, the trio had become a quartet, in which afterwards they signed with David Rubinson's Blue Thumb record label. Blue Thumb Records was an American Record label founded in 1968 by Bob Krasnow, along with former A&M Records executives Tommy

Upon signing, they agreed that they did not want to follow the current trend of pop music, but wanted to create an original sound that combined jazz, scat and be-bop music. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States In Vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with random vocables and syllables or without words at all Bebop or bop is a form of Jazz characterized by fast Tempos and Improvisation based on Harmonic structure rather than Melody In searching for a visual style they remembered the poverty of their childhood and their mother's ability to improvise, and used their experience to assemble a collection of vintage 1940s clothes from various thrift shops, that would comprise their costumes and give them the distinctive look they were searching for.

In 1972, they were asked to record Pinball Number Count, a series of educational cartoons, teaching kids how to count. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pinball Number Count is a collective title referring to 11 one-minute animated segments on the popular PBS children's series Sesame Street It made its debut on Sesame Street in 1977 and was a feature on Sesame Street for many years. Sesame Street is an American educational Children's television series and a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard combining Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays

They made their debut performance at the Troubador nightclub in Los Angeles in May 1973 and the reaction from the crowd was enthusiastic. A troubadour ( IPA:, originally) was a composer and performer of Occitan Lyric poetry during the High Middle Ages (1100&ndash1350 Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Shortly after they made their television debut on The Helen Reddy Show. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Helen Reddy (born October 25, 1941) is an Australian/American Singer / Songwriter.

First success as recording artists

The Pointer Sisters on the cover of their debut album, which was released in 1973 and yielded the hit "Yes We Can Can". The Pointer Sisters is the self-titled debut by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1973 on Blue Thumb records " Yes We Can Can " is a 1973 Funk classic recorded by the American R&B Girl group the Pointer Sisters and released on the

Their self titled first album, was released in 1973 and received positive reviews, with the group being lauded for their versatility and originality. The Pointer Sisters is the self-titled debut by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1973 on Blue Thumb records The first single from it, a funk cover of "Yes We Can Can", reached number 11 on the pop charts, and would go on to establish itself as an R&B classic. " Yes We Can Can " is a 1973 Funk classic recorded by the American R&B Girl group the Pointer Sisters and released on the The Allen Toussaint penned song had been a small R&B hit for Lee Dorsey in 1970. The album's second single was a cover of Willie Dixon's Blues stomper "Wang Dang Doodle". It reached the R&B top 40 and the group's thrift shop style began to catch on with fans, many of whom would attend their shows in similar attire.

The following year they released their second album titled That's a Plenty. That's a Plenty was the second album released by Oakland family girl group the Pointer Sisters in 1974 on the Blue Thumb record label It continued in the jazz and be-bop style of its predecessor but provided one exception that caused a great deal of interest. The song "Fairytale" written by Anita and Bonnie was a country song, and reached number 13 on the pop charts, and number 37 on the country charts. "Fairytale" is a 1974 single released by the Pointer Sisters. Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Based on this success the group was invited to Nashville, Tennessee where they achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first black female singers to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly Country music radio program and concert broadcast live on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee In 1975 the group won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Fairytale" , and Anita and Bonnie were nominated as songwriters for the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. Events January 2 - New York City US District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers The Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was first awarded in 1970 "Fairytale" is a 1974 single released by the Pointer Sisters. The Grammy Award for Best Country Song (sometimes known as the Country Songwriter's Award has been awarded since 1965. The song would later be covered by acts such as Elvis Presley.

Their third album, and arguably best, was released in 1975. Steppin' produced their Grammy-nominated number one R&B single, "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)", which was later sampled by female rap icons Salt 'N' Pepa a decade later. Steppin is a 1975 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the Blue Thumb label The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences " How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side " is a Funk classic by American family girl group the Pointer Sisters, released as the first Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and Salt-n-Pepa is a Grammy -Award Winning American hip hop group from Queens New York that came into the music scene in 1985 and went on to They also scored another R&B hit from the album with "Going Down Slowly", a further Allen Toussaint cover, and in 1976 appeared in the classic blaxploitation film Car Wash. Events January-February January 5 - Bob Dylan releases Desire January 6 - Peter Frampton Blaxploitation is a Film genre that emerged in the United States in the early 1970s when many Exploitation films were made that targeted the urban Car Wash is a 1976 Comedy film produced by Universal Pictures. "You Gotta Believe" from the movie made the R&B top 20 in early 1977.

Their last album as a quartet was the Jazz/Funk album Having a Party, released in 1977. Having a Party is a 1982 Album from Swedish pop and country group Chips. Although a later favorite of the group's fan base, it sold poorly due to a lack of promotion from both ABC/Blue Thumb and the departing Sisters. It did feature the Bonnie led "Don't It Drive You Crazy" which would become a cult hit in the UK in the new millennium.

The quartet becomes a trio

The Pointer Sisters on the cover of their 1978 album, Energy, which revived their popularity with their cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire". Energy is a 1978 album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1978 on Planet Records For other songs of this name see Fire (song " Fire " is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and originally intended for

By 1977, both Bonnie and June had left the group. Events Bohemian Rhapsody is named 'The Best Single Of The Last 25 Years' by BPI. Bonnie went on to sign a contract with Motown Records, and this led to a brief successful solo career. "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. Her first self-titled album produced the Disco classic "Heaven Must Have Sent You". The album was produced by Jeffrey Bowen and Berry Gordy.

Now a duo, the remaining sisters cut back their schedules and concentrated on raising their families. As they did so, they began talking about the future of the group and what direction it should take. Unsure of what style to follow, they unanimously agreed to dispense with the 1940s nostalgia that had become their image.

They signed with producer Richard Perry's Planet label, distributed by Elektra Records. For the Jazz musician and saxophonist of the same name see Rich Perry Richard Perry is one of the most successful producers in music history Elektra Records is a now-dormant American Record label owned by Warner Music Group (WMG and from 2004 on operating under WMG's Atlantic Records After inviting her to contribute vocals on the group's cover of Sly Stone's "Everybody Is A Star", Richard Perry convinced June Pointer to return to the group. For the Jazz musician and saxophonist of the same name see Rich Perry Richard Perry is one of the most successful producers in music history With Perry the trio began working on an album of west coast soft rock which was released in 1978 with the title Energy. For the Jazz musician and saxophonist of the same name see Rich Perry Richard Perry is one of the most successful producers in music history Events January: May - The Bee Gees dominate the singles and album charts as Saturday Night Fever becomes a cultural phenomenon Energy is a 1978 album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1978 on Planet Records The first single, a cover version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" climbed to number two on the US singles charts in early 1979, and a third Allen Toussaint cover, "Happiness", also charted well. In Popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition ( Performance or Recording) of a previously recorded commercially released For other songs of this name see Fire (song " Fire " is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and originally intended for Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar)

In 1979 they released an album with a harder edged Rock sound titled Priority, and while it was not a huge commercial success, it received very positive critical reviews and further strengthened the group's reputation for being truly versatile. See also Musical groups established in 1979 Record labels established in 1979 1979 in music (UK Priority is a 1979 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the Planet Records label

The height of their success

Over the next few years they achieved their greatest commercial success and continued to demonstrate their versatility. In 1980 the soulful pop single, "He's So Shy", reached number three on the charts, and the following year a slow, sultry, country and western flavoured ballad, "Slow Hand", reached number two. Events January January 1 - The year starts off with a strong Disco backlash which causes the majority of musicians to abandon the use of real instruments "He's So Shy" is a 1980 Pop and R&B hit by the Pointer Sisters. " Slow Hand " is a country -styled pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981 on the Planet Records label The follow-up, "Should I Do It" was classic girl-group. Perry switched distribution of Planet to RCA in 1982. For the Jazz musician and saxophonist of the same name see Rich Perry Richard Perry is one of the most successful producers in music history RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The first release from this new union was "American Music", a patriotic themed modernised take on the girl-group sound while "I'm So Excited" was an influential frenetic dance track. " I'm So Excited " is a song written and recorded by the Pointer Sisters. All these singles were significant hits in the US and were also successful in Australia, where all but "American Music" reached the Top 20.

The Pointer Sisters on the cover of their landmark release, Break Out. Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records Released in 1983, the album would go on to become the group's biggest seller to date.

In 1983, the Pointer Sisters released what became their biggest-selling album ever with Break Out. Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records With the advent of MTV the sisters were able to exploit their visual style and extend their audience. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. In 1984 they achieved four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in a row. See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it "Automatic" reached #5; "Jump (for My Love)" reached #3; a remix of "I'm So Excited" was added to the album almost a year into its shelf life and reached #9; and another single from the album, "Neutron Dance", also featured on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, reached #6. "Automatic" is a funky New Wave -styled dance number by the Pointer Sisters, released on the Planet Records label in 1984 " Jump (For My Love " was the opening track (and third single of the Pointer Sisters ' 1983 album Break Out. " I'm So Excited " is a song written and recorded by the Pointer Sisters. Beverly Hills Cop is a 1984 American action - Comedy film directed by Martin Brest and starring Eddie Murphy

"I Need You" had been the lead single from the album, and was a significant R&B hit, peaking at #13 on the Black Singles charts. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. The album's last single, "Baby Come And Get It," did well on the Black Singles charts too but missed cracking the pop Top 40 by a hair. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. (It would be brought to life again in the next millennium through its use in Burger King television commercials. Burger King ( often abbreviated to A television advertisement or television commercial (often just commercial or advert (US or ad (UK is a span of television programming produced ) They received Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Jump (For My Love)", and Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices for "Automatic". The Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal has been awarded since 1966 The Grammy Award for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices was awarded from 1977 to 1986 These songs also followed "Slow Hand" into the UK Top 10, with "Automatic" peaking at number 2 in that country. " Slow Hand " is a country -styled pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981 on the Planet Records label The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

These Planet singles marked the end of their run of Top 10 hits in the US, with their subsequent RCA releases "Dare Me" in 1985 (the Sisters' last Australian Top 10 hit), and "Goldmine" in 1986, reaching numbers 11 and 33 respectively. RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. "Dare Me" is a 1985 single released by The Pointer Sisters on the RCA label Events January January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles See also Musical groups established in 1986 Record labels established in 1986 Events January

The sisters eventually left RCA Records to record for Motown and SBK, releasing several group albums and individual solo albums along the way, but these projects did not achieve the level of success they had earlier attained.

Subsequent years

In recent years they have maintained a lower public profile but have continued to perform. They entertained US troops in the Persian Gulf in 1991 with Bob Hope. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the Bob Hope, KBE KCSG ( May 29, 1903 &ndash July 27, 2003) was an American comedian and actor who appeared in In 1994 they were honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and began touring with a production of the Fats Waller-based musical Ain't Misbehavin'. This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that Fats Waller (born Thomas Wright Waller on May 21, 1904 &mdash December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist Ain't Misbehavin is a musical Revue with a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr In 1995 Pointer Sisters recorded "Feel For The Physical" as a duet with Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame) for his album Souled. Thomas Anders (born Bernd Weidung, 1 March 1963, in Koblenz, West Germany) is a German Singer, Composer Modern Talking was a German Pop music duo consisting of composer/producer Dieter Bohlen and singer Thomas Anders. Souled is the title of the sixth studio Album by Singer-songwriter & producer Thomas Anders. They were also one of the featured acts at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International In 2004, June Pointer had to leave due to health problems; she was replaced by Ruth's daughter, Issa, and the group continues to perform. Issa Pointer (born Issa Kuren Edwards Pointer on January 22, 1978 in California) is the daughter of Pointer Sisters member Ruth Pointer They made a 2005 holiday recording Christmas In New York, featured on YMC Records' Smooth & Soulful Christmas Collection, which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard AC Charts. The sisters were inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term "the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World"

In recent years many Pointer Sisters songs were covered by contemporary artists, such as "Jump (for My Love)" by Girls Aloud, which reached number 2 at the UK singles chart in 2003, "Dare Me" was turned into the dance smash "Stupidisco" by Belgian DJ Junior Jack, indie band Le Tigre covered in 2004 "I'm So Excited" on their third album This Island, and French DJ Muttonheads sampled "Back In My Arms" on his 2005 club hit "I'll Be There". Girls Aloud are a British Girl group created by ITV1 Talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002 Junior Jack (real name Vito Lucente, born August 31 1971 in Italy is a House music producer and DJ who has resided in Le Tigre ( French for "The Tiger" is an American Dance-punk band formed by Kathleen Hanna (formerly of Bikini Kill Most recently in 2007, Tommy Boy recording artist Ultra Naté has released a dance-pop cover of "Automatic" that reached #1 at the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. Ultra Naté Wyche (born in Havre de Grace, Maryland, USA is a popular American House music, Dance-pop and sometimes R&B In 2005, "Pinball Number Count" was re-edited for Coldcut's Ninja Tune label, becoming a surprise dance hit. Ninja Tune is a London -based Independent record label started in 1991 by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut The same song has also been remixed by Venetian Snares of the Planet Mu record label.

The band is currently experiencing a successful revival in Europe due to their performance at the annual Night of the Proms, a highly successful series of concerts combining pop and classical music, taking place in the Benelux, France and Germany. The group received the highest audience ratings of all participating Night of the Proms acts in 2002. In addition, their collaboration with Belgian pop star Natalia on "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves," placed them on the charts in Europe (the single peaked at #2 in the Belgian charts) and resulted in ten sold out dates in Antwerp in January 2006 with the "Natalia Meets The Pointer Sister" concerts, selling out 130. Natalia Druyts (born on December 3, 1980 in Westerlo, Belgium) best known by her Stage name Natalia, was the first 000 tickets for the 10 date concert run.

On June 7th, 2006, Anita guest-starred on Celebrity Duets singing with Olympic gymnast Carly Patterson on "I'm So Excited". This article is about the original TV series for the Philippine edition see Celebrity Duets Philippine Edition. The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Carly Rae Patterson (born February 4 1988 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American former Gymnast.

Vice City Dance

The Pointer sisters gained notoriety on the release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Grand Theft Auto Vice City is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and Video game designed by Rockstar North (formerly The Malibu club in the game featured a Village people tribute in which they danced to "Automatic". This dance involved the dancers crossing the hands by their knees for two beats then raising the roof for another two. This has been copied by many people and has a large cult following.

Tragedy and Controversy

In 2001, the sisters lost their beloved mother Sarah; two years later, in 2003, sister Anita lost her only child Jada to cancer. On April 11, 2006, June Pointer died of lung cancer at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California. Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. According to an official family statement she was surrounded by her sisters Ruth and Anita as well as brothers Aaron and Fritz at the time of her passing. Later in 2006, sister Bonnie appeared on Entertainment Tonight saying the other sisters had not fulfilled the burial wishes for June, instead having her cremated because it was cheaper. Bonnie also stated the sisters had not let her ride in the family car at the funeral. Anita and Ruth responded that Bonnie had demanded to be let back in the group and was upset that she had not been allowed to, and that June had left no instructions for her burial. The sisters seemed estranged from Bonnie until she joined Anita Pointer on the Idol Radio Show in 2007.

Discography

Further information: Pointer Sisters discography

US, UK and Australian Top 40 singles

The following singles reached the Top 40 of either the United States pop singles chart, the United States R&B singles chart, the United Kingdom pop singles chart, or the Australian ARIA charts. This is a listing of all the singles and albums released by legendary family Girl group the Pointer Sisters. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

• ¹The song did not chart on its original UK 1983 issue but was reissued in 1984 after Automatic and Jump (for my love) became top 10 hits. Events January-February January 9 - Mick Jagger 's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug bust putting an abrupt end " Yes We Can Can " is a 1973 Funk classic recorded by the American R&B Girl group the Pointer Sisters and released on the The Pointer Sisters is the self-titled debut by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1973 on Blue Thumb records Events January - The Ramones form January - Joni Mitchell releases her monumental album Court and Spark, supported Wang Dang Doodle is a blues song written by Willie Dixon for Howlin' Wolf at Chess Records in Chicago. The Pointer Sisters is the self-titled debut by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1973 on Blue Thumb records Events January - The Ramones form January - Joni Mitchell releases her monumental album Court and Spark, supported "Fairytale" is a 1974 single released by the Pointer Sisters. That's a Plenty was the second album released by Oakland family girl group the Pointer Sisters in 1974 on the Blue Thumb record label Events January 2 - New York City US District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers " How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side " is a Funk classic by American family girl group the Pointer Sisters, released as the first Steppin is a 1975 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the Blue Thumb label Events January 2 - New York City US District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers Steppin is a 1975 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the Blue Thumb label Events January-February January 5 - Bob Dylan releases Desire January 6 - Peter Frampton Events January: May - The Bee Gees dominate the singles and album charts as Saturday Night Fever becomes a cultural phenomenon For other songs of this name see Fire (song " Fire " is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and originally intended for Energy is a 1978 album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1978 on Planet Records See also Musical groups established in 1979 Record labels established in 1979 1979 in music (UK Energy is a 1978 album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1978 on Planet Records Events January January 1 - The year starts off with a strong Disco backlash which causes the majority of musicians to abandon the use of real instruments "He's So Shy" is a 1980 Pop and R&B hit by the Pointer Sisters. Special Things is a 1980 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records Events January January 1 - The year starts off with a strong Disco backlash which causes the majority of musicians to abandon the use of real instruments Special Things is a 1980 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records See also Musical groups established in 1981 Record labels established in 1981 List of 'years in music' " Slow Hand " is a country -styled pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981 on the Planet Records label Black & White is a 1981 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records See also 1982 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1982 Record labels established in 1982 Black & White is a 1981 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records See also 1982 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1982 Record labels established in 1982 For the 2006 Janet Jackson song see " So Excited " So Excited! is a 1982 album released by the Pointer See also 1982 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1982 Record labels established in 1982 " I'm So Excited " is a song written and recorded by the Pointer Sisters. For the 2006 Janet Jackson song see " So Excited " So Excited! is a 1982 album released by the Pointer Major releases Michael Jackson's Thriller, the highest-selling album of all time as well as the best-selling album of 1983 and 1984 was released Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it "Automatic" is a funky New Wave -styled dance number by the Pointer Sisters, released on the Planet Records label in 1984 Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it " Jump (For My Love " was the opening track (and third single of the Pointer Sisters ' 1983 album Break Out. Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it " I'm So Excited " is a song written and recorded by the Pointer Sisters. Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records See also Events January 21 - " Relax " by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart it " Neutron Dance " is a Dance / R&B song from the Pointer Sisters. Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records Events January January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles Contact is a 1985 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA Records label Events January January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles "Dare Me" is a 1985 single released by The Pointer Sisters on the RCA label Contact is a 1985 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA Records label Events January January 28 - Various artists, under the group name USA For Africa, including Ray Charles Contact is a 1985 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA Records label See also Musical groups established in 1986 Record labels established in 1986 Events January Hot Together is a 1986 album recorded by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA label This is a list of notable events in Music that took place in the year 1988. Serious Slammin is a 1988 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA label This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990

The Billboard Pop chart is compiled with points awarded for both sales and airplay whereas the Cash Box chart reflected sales only.

US and UK Top 40 albums

• 1973: The Pointer Sisters (#13 Pop/#3 R&B)
• 1974: That's a Plenty (#33 R&B)
• 1974: Live at the Opera House (#29 R&B)
• 1975: Steppin' (#22 Pop/#3 R&B)
• 1976: The Best of the Pointer Sisters (#33 R&B)
• 1978: Energy (#13 Pop/#9 R&B)
• 1980: Special Things (#34 Pop/#19 R&B)
• 1981: Black & White (#12 Pop/#9 R&B/#21 UK)
• 1982: So Excited! (#24 R&B)
• 1983: Break Out (#8 Pop/#6 R&B/#9 UK)
• 1985: Contact (#24 Pop/#11 R&B/#34 UK)
• 1986: Hot Together (#39 R&B)
• 1989: Jump: The Best of the Pointer Sisters (#11 UK)

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

• Classic Tracks: The Pointer Sisters' "Yes We Can Can", by Blair Jackson, March 1, 2006, Mix magazine. The Pointer Sisters is the self-titled debut by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1973 on Blue Thumb records That's a Plenty was the second album released by Oakland family girl group the Pointer Sisters in 1974 on the Blue Thumb record label Live at the Opera House is a Live album released by the American vocal group The Pointer Sisters, released on the Blue Thumb Steppin is a 1975 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the Blue Thumb label Energy is a 1978 album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1978 on Planet Records Special Things is a 1980 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records Black & White is a 1981 album released by the Pointer Sisters on Planet Records For the 2006 Janet Jackson song see " So Excited " So Excited! is a 1982 album released by the Pointer Break Out is a landmark album released by the Pointer Sisters in 1983 on Planet Records Contact is a 1985 album released by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA Records label Hot Together is a 1986 album recorded by the Pointer Sisters on the RCA label This is a list of recording artists who have reached number one on Billboard magazine 's Hot Dance Club Play chart Detailed story about musicians, producers, and history of creating the Pointer Sisters' first major hit. Accessed February 12, 2008.
• Pointer Sisters & Thomas Anders
• Pointer Sisters fan page on Bebo.