March 19: On This Date In 1946, Music Icon Ruth Pointer Was Born

0 Posted by - March 19, 2022 - Birthdays, On This Date

By Victor Trammell

Photo credits: FOX

Ruth Pointer was born in Oakland, California on March 19, 1946. She is most known for being a member of the iconic singing group “The Pointer Sisters.”

The Pointer Sisters, who formed with her sisters in 1972, released their debut album in 1973. Before Bonnie’s departure in 1977, the group achieved success with songs such as “Yes We Can Can” (1973), their country crossover single, “Fairytale” (1974), and “How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side).” Continuing as a three, the group had their greatest success by covering rock, pop, and new wave songs on hits such as “Fire” (1978), “He’s So Shy” (1980), and “Slow Hand” (1981).

The group’s greatest success came with the release of the Break Out album in 1983, which included hits like “Automatic,” “Jump (For My Love),” a re-published version of “I’m So Excited,” “Neutron Dance,” and “Baby Come And Get It.” It is remarkable for containing Ruth’s lead vocals on “Automatic” and “Neutron Dance,” both of which charted in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 that the Pointer Sisters earned two Grammy Awards. Ruth, along with her sister Anita, are the only original members who are still involved with The Pointer Sisters.

In 1988, Pointer provided the singing voice of Rita in the Disney film Oliver & Company, singing “Streets of Gold” as well as a reprise of “Why Should I Worry” with fellow cast member Billy Joel. In the 1990s, Ruth’s daughter, Issa, joined them. In 1994, the group earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Pointer appeared as “Cupcake” on season 6 of The Masked Singer in October 2021. When she was unmasked, Pointer confessed that she was going to appear on the program in a pair with her sister Anita in a replicated and recolored Cupcake outfit. Unfortunately, Anita was sick, so Pointer was forced to perform by herself.

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