Bonnie Pointer Dies At 69
• Patricia Eva “Bonnie” Pointer, who rose to fame as a founding member of the hugely successful Pointer Sisters before later pursuing a solo career, has died at the age of 69, according to Variety.
The news of Bonnie’s death was reported by her sister, Anita, who said, “It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning. Our family is devastated. On behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.”
The four Pointer sisters began singing in their father’s church, the West Oakland Church of God in Oakland, CA, more than 50 years ago. Bonnie, Anita and the youngest sister, June formed the Pointer Sisters group in 1969. Ruth Pointer joined the group in 1972, before they released their 1973 debut album and had their first hit with “Yes We Can Can.” Bonnie left the group in 1977 to embark on a solo career, shortly before the Pointer Sisters — now a trio of Anita, Ruth and June — had their biggest run of hits with “He’s So Shy,” “I’m So Excited,” “Jump,” “Fire” and “Neutron Dance,” to name a few.
June Pointer died in 2006. A few months ago, Bonnie and Anita released a tribute song for their sister, called “Feels Like June” — it would be Bonnie’s final recording. The sisters occasionally reunited over the years, like when they received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. Bonnie continued to perform as a solo artist into the 2000s.
Anita said, “Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day. We never had a fight in our life. I already miss her and I will see her again one day.” In addition to her surviving sisters, Ruth and Anita, Bonnie Pointer also leaves behind her brothers Aaron and Fritz. [Photo from Bonnie’s Twitter account]
