Ruth Pointer

Ruth Esther Pointer (born March 19, 1946)[1] is an American singer–songwriter who is best known as the eldest member of the American family vocal group The Pointer Sisters.

Ruth Pointer
Pointer performing with The Pointer Sisters at the Komen Center Pink Tie Ball in 2006.
Background information
Birth nameRuth Esther Pointer
Born (1946-03-19) March 19, 1946
Oakland, California, U.S.
OriginOakland, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer–songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1966–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitethepointersistersfans.com/ruth.html

Career
Main article: The Pointer Sisters

Joining her sisters in 1972, the Pointer Sisters released their first album in 1973. The group eventually found fame with songs like "Yes We Can Can" (1973), their country crossover hit, "Fairytale" (1974) and "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)" before Bonnie's exit in 1977. Continuing as a trio, the group found their biggest success covering tunes of rock, pop and new wave with singles such as "Fire" (1978), "He's So Shy" (1980), and "Slow Hand" (1981).

The group found its biggest success with the release of the Break Out album in 1983 which featured hits such as "Automatic", "Jump (For My Love)", a re-released version of "I'm So Excited", "Neutron Dance", and "Baby Come And Get It". It's notable for featuring Ruth's lead vocals on "Automatic" and "Neutron Dance", which hit the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and led to the group winning two Grammy Awards. Of the original members, Ruth, along with her sister Anita, are still active with The Pointer Sisters. [2]In 1988, Pointer provided the singing voice of the character Rita the Disney film Oliver and Company, where she sang the song "Streets of Gold" as well as a reprise of the song "Why Should I Worry" with fellow cast member Billy Joel. They were joined by Ruth's daughter, Issa, in the 1990s. The group was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

Personal life

Pointer has been married five times and has five children. The eldest are a daughter Faun (born 1965) and a son Malik (born 1966).[3] Malik is a singer.[4] Her daughter Issa Pointer (born 1978), is from a 1977 marriage with former Temptations member Dennis Edwards.[5] In 1984, Pointer married noted bassist Don Boyette, divorcing in 1988.

Pointer married Michael Sayles in 1990 and, at the age of 47 in 1993, she gave birth to twins, a boy named Conor and a girl named Ali.[6] Both Issa Pointer and Ruth's granddaughter Sadako Pointer (born 1984) have performed as members of the Pointer Sisters.[7][8]

References
  1. "the Pointer Sisters". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  2. http://www.thepointersisters.com/Ruth%20Pointer%20biography.doc Ruth Pointer Bio
  3. "Pointer Sistres". People. November 24, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  4. Viewmorepics.myspacce.com Archived copy at WebCite (June 12, 2009).
  5. Thpointersisters.com
  6. "Singer Ruth Pointer gives birth to twins". Orlando Sentinel. July 21, 1993. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  7. "Group biography". The Pointer Sisters official website. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  8. "Bonnie Pointer arrested". BBC News. November 21, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
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