Bonnie Pointer, who in 1969 convinced three of her church-singing siblings to form the Pointer Sisters, which would become one of the biggest acts of the next two decades, died Monday. The Grammy winner passed away of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, at 69 years old.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister, Bonnie died this morning,” sister Anita Pointer said in a statement. “Our family is devastated, on behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.”
“Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day, we never had a fight in our life, I already miss her and I will see her again one day. The Pointer Sisters would never have happened had it not been for Bonnie.”
Bonnie was a founding member of The Pointer Sisters along with her siblings, June, Ruth and Anita. They were best known for the hits Jump (For My Love), I’m So Excited and Automatic.
Bonnie recorded five albums with the group and co-wrote Fairytale with Anita, which earned The Pointer Sisters their first Grammy for Best Country Duo Or Group in 1975.
Elvis Presley later covered Fairytale, while Girls Aloud reintroduced Jump (For My Love) to a new audience when they covered it in 2003.
Bonnie left the group in the mid-70s and enjoyed solo success with her cover of Heaven Must Have Sent You, which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 100 chart.
Tributes have poured in for the singer, including Gloria Gaynor, who said, “So sorry to hear of the passing of Bonnie Pointer of the Pointer Sisters. My prayers & heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends & fans. I pray peace for her family & that soon sweet memories of her will bring smiles to their faces before bringing tears to their eyes.”
Our condolences go out to the Bonnie Pointer’s family and friends. Check out the song Fairytale, written by Anita and Bonnie Pointer below.
