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The Pointer Sisters Biography

Profession Soundtrack, Actress, Music department, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Were the first African American women to perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry
  • Won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for "Fairytale" in 1975
  • Began singing as part of their church choir during their childhood
  • Got their start as backup singers in studio sessions for artists like Grace Slick and Boz Scaggs
  • Signed with Atlantic Records in 1971 after the company vice president, Jerry Wexler, heard them singing backup for Elvin Bishop at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles
  • The group was started by Bonnie and June as Pointers - A Pair, who were later joined by Anita to form the Pointer Sisters
  • Best known as an R&B family music group whose hit songs include "I'm So Excited" and "Fire․"
  • The group became a quartet in 1972, when Ruth quit her job as a keypunch operator to join her sisters
  • Made several appearances on the children's TV series "Sesame Street," where their song "Pinball Number Count" was especially popular
  • With no money for costumes early in their career, they began dressing in 1940s-style clothing that they could find in thrift stores, which became one of their trademarks