Happy New Year, everybody... As usual, we've had a few celebrity deaths in the waning days of 2022. One person who died yesterday was Anita Pointer, who was one of the Pointer Sisters. I always enjoyed their music back in the days when I was a wee lass growing up. Anita, who was suffering from cancer and was 74 years old, was the fourth of six children born to parents, Elton and Sarah Pointer. Anita was born in California, but her parents came from Arkansas, and they were very strict, as Elton Pointer was a minister. Anita was their fourth child of six.
Reverend and Mrs. Pointer were very much against what they called "the devil's music", which basically seemed to include any type of music that wasn't religious, especially rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and the blues. Nevertheless, the pull of pop music was too strong to resist, and the sisters came together to make their own, special brand of music.
In 1969, Anita and her sisters, June and Bonnie, who are both now deceased, formed their very successful trio, The Pointer Sisters. In 1972, their sister Ruth, also joined. Ruth is the oldest, and is still living. She is the only member of the current incarnation of the Pointer Sisters who was in the original line up. Her daughter, Issa, and granddaughter, Sadako, are also in the group today.
I always really enjoyed the Pointer Sisters when they were in their prime. I remember a lot of their songs, which were always impeccably harmonized and had broad, commercial appeal. They also covered songs by artists who sang different styles. For instance, they famously covered the song "Fire" by Bruce Springsteen. I love Bruce's version, but I always think of theirs first.
