blog.DazMan.com

The Pointer Sisters: In The Beginning

In the burgeoning music scene of San Francisco in the late 1960′s Bonnie who sought a show business career convinced June to join her to form a duo, “The Pointers – A Pair”. In 1969 Anita joins, thus the birth of “The Pointer Sisters”. The legendary impresario Bill Graham became their manager in the early 1970′s. They began touring and performing and provided backing vocals for such artists as Sylvester, Grace Slick, Boz Scaggs and Elvin Bishop, and it was while supporting Bishop at a nightclub appearance in 1971 that The Sisters were signed to a recording deal with Atlantic Records. The resulting single, “Don’t Try To Take The Fifth”, failed to win an audience but The Sisters were enjoying themselves and in 1972 the temptation to join them finally overwhelmed Ruth. Before they began to record their first album, the trio had become a quartet.

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. 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 1973, they released their self-titled debut, featuring their cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can” and Willie Dixon’s “Wang Dang Doodle.” Both did well on the pop charts, and the group started gaining national recognition.

They were the first Black women to play at the Grand Ole Opry and the first pop act to perform at San Francisco’s Opera House.

They won their first Grammy award in 1974 for their country hit “Fairytale,” written by Anita and Bonnie. Covered by Elvis.

In 1977 after Bonnie left, the group headed in a new direction, both musically and in fashion. They went for a sleek, high-end look, Bob Mackie designed part of their wardrobe, and The Sisters embraced a new sound, recording the Bruce Springsteen song “Fire,” which reached No. 2 on the pop charts in 1978.

The Pointers recorded several more albums, including the triple platinum “Break Out,” in 1984, which won two Grammys. A song from the album, “Neutron Dance,” was featured in the movie “Beverly Hills Cop.” In the ’90s, the sisters found a new outlet on stage with the hit show “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

September 29, 1994 they received their Star on Hollywood’s infamous Walk of Fame.

The group, which is now made up of sisters Ruth and Anita and Ruth’s daughter Issa, continues to perform. Over three decades of burning up the stages and record charts around the world. . . The Pointer Sisters feel like they’re just getting started.

April 21, 1974

Live At The San Francisco Opera House

The Sisters record a live double album at The San Francisco Opera House,
making them the first contemporary act to ever perform there.

Grammy Award For Best Country Performance
By A Duo Or Group

The Pointer Sisters won their first Grammy in 1975 for the country and western song “Fairy Tale” written by Bonnie & Anita Pointer. Prior to their Grammy Award The Sisters were invited to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee to perform their number one country hit. This was in 1974 and no one in Nashville had every seen them. When The Sisters strutted onto the stage the audience was set aback. A gentleman in the audience yelled out “Hot damn them girls is Black!” The Pointer Sisters made history as they achieved the distinction of becoming the first Black female singers to ever perform at the Grand Ole Opry and the audience loved them.

June Pointer

It’s hard to sing a love song
with a bowl of fruit on your head.
Anita Pointer