Bonnie Pointer death: The Pointer Sisters singer dies at the age of 69

Anita Pointer pays tribute to her sibling

(Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

Bonnie Pointer, a former member of the Pointer Sisters, has died at the age of 69.

A representative confirmed the death to The Independent.

Her sister Anita Pointer said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of The Pointer Sisters that my sister, Bonnie died this morning .

“Our family is devastated, on behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.”

She added: “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.”

Bonnie Pointer was one of the group’s founding members with her sister June. Both were born in Oakland, California, where they began singing at their father’s church five decades ago.

The duo became a trio after Anita joined, then grew to a quartet with the addition of their sister Ruth.

Bonnie recorded four studio albums and one live album with her siblings, before leaving to pursue a solo career in 1977. Prior to her departure, she co-wrote the hit “Fairytale” with Anita. The song went on to win the group the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 1975.

It was also during Bonnie’s tenure that the Pointer Sisters became the first black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

As a solo artist, one of her biggest hits was a disco cover of “Heaven Must Have Sent You”, released in 1979 by Motown.

She released three solo albums with the label in the Seventies and Eighties, and in 2011 unveiled her final solo effort, Like a Picasso.

Bonnie’s sister June died in April 2006. Together with Anita, Bonnie had released a song titled “Feels Like June”, as a tribute to their late sibling. This is Bonnie’s final recording.

Bonnie is survived by her brothers Aaron and Fritz, as well as her sisters Ruth and Anita Pointer.