The Pointer Sisters

Profession

Soundtrack, Actress, Music department, Producer

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

Fast Facts