Condolences: Anita Pointer

• Anita Pointer, who rose to fame in the 1970s as a member of the hit sibling singing group the Pointer Sisters, died Saturday, Dec. 31 at the age 74. According to Variety, no cause of death was given but her publicist said she died surrounded by family.

Anita had been a member of the Pointer Sisters from the time she joined sisters June and Bonnie in the group in 1969 until she had to retire in 2015, reportedly due to ill health. June Pointer passed away in 2006 and Bonnie Pointer died in 2020.

The Pointer Sisters were a hit-making machine in the late ’70s and early ’80s, starting with their cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s Fire,” which reached No. 2 on the pop chart in 1978. In 1980, “He’s So Shy” hit No. 3; “Slow Hand” went to No. 2 in 1981; and in 1984 “Neutron Dance” peaked at No. 6, followed later that year by “Jump (for My Love)” at No. 3, and “Automatic,” which peaked at No. 5. Interestingly, “I’m So Excited,” which was co-written by Anita, was only a minor hit for the sisters in 1982, but was remixed and re-released in 1984 and reached No. 9.

Surviving sister Ruth Pointer remains the longest-standing member of the group, having joined in 1972, three years after June, Bonnie and Anita began performing together. Ruth now tours under the Pointer Sisters banner with her daughter Issa Pointer, who first joined in 2002, and her granddaughter Sadako Pointer, who joined in 2009.

A statement, jointly attributed to Anita’s four closest survivors – sister Ruth, brothers Aaron and Fritz, and her granddaughter Roxie McKain Pointer, read, “While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada, and her sisters June and Bonnie, and at peace. She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”