The Pointer Sisters founder Bonnie Pointer has died at age 69. Anita, her sister and former bandmate of the 1970s and 1980s R&B group, confirmed the news on Monday.
"It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of The Pointer Sisters that my sister, Bonnie died this morning," Anita said in a statement to People, noting that their family was "devastated' at her passing.
"Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day," she continued. "We never had a fight in our life. I already miss her, and I will see her again one day."
Bonnie and her younger sister June decided to form a band in 1969 after singing in their father's Oakland church for several years. They first started playing shows in clubs under the name "Pointers, a Pair," but later changed the name to "The Pointer Sisters" when sisters Anita and Ruth joined.
Their self-titled debut album released in 1973 brought the band relative success after their first hit single "Yes We Can Can" became a hit. The band went on to record five albums with Bonnie, who co-wrote the bulk of their songs — including the Grammy Award-winning country single "Fairytale."
The Pointer Sisters remained in the spotlight for several years but became a trio after Bonnie decided to break away to pursue a solo career during the mid 1970s. She recorded three solo albums along with the single "Heaven Must Have Sent You," which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, before retiring from studio recording, according to Deadline.
"The Pointer Sisters would never have happened had it not been for Bonnie," Anita said in her statement to People. "The Pointer Sisters spent two decades at the top of the charts and performing to sold-out audiences around the world. The Pointer Sisters in 2019 celebrated 50 yrs of performing, Bonnie is pre-deceased by her sister June Pointer and is survived by her brothers Aaron and Fritz and sisters Ruth and Anita Pointer."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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