Hip-Hop Media TrainingLenny Williams On The Pointer Sisters: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Preacher's kids June, Bonnie, Anita and Ruth Pointer easily established themselves as one of the most successful music groups of the 1970s and 1980s. They also broke barriers for soul groups by being embraced in the country community for their Grammy Award winning song "Fairytale."
Original members: June, Bonnie, Anita and Ruth Pointer
Previously Known As: Pointers, A Pair
Founded: 1969
Hometown: Oakland
Biggest Hits: "Yes We Can Can," "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," "Fairytale," "How Long (Betcha' Got a Chick On The Side)," "You Gotta Believe," "He's So Shy"
Style: R&B, soul, gospel, disco, pop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, country, be-pop
Labels: Atlantic, Blue Thumb Records, RCA Records, Motown, SBK
Bragging Rights: The Pointers sang background for Boz Scaggs, Grace Slick and Sylvester James. Their 1972 educational video "Pinball Number Count" became a regular feature on "Sesame Street." Their song "Fairytale" reached No. 37 on the country charts. They became the first African American female singers to perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. They also won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In 1984, they scored four consecutive top 10 hits, "Automatic," "Jump (For My Love)," "Excited" and "Neutron Dance." In 1994, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. In 2002, Ruth's daughter Issa began performing with the group.
Co-sign: Says Lenny Williams: "They grew up in Oakland, California where I grew up. Boy, they could sing .. Perfect harmonies."
The Supremes are the spotlight group this month in Yahoo! Music's Best Soul Girl Groups Of All Time tribute for Black Music Month. A different act will be profiled everyday. The list includes African American women from a variety of genres — R&B, pop, gospel and rap — who were trailblazers and paved the way for those who followed.
