(July 11, 1950-June 8, 2020 ) Bonnie, along with her sisters, began her singing career in her father's church, The Church of God, in West Oakland, California. But as her mother, the late Sarah Pointer, recalled in a 1974 interview, Bonnie had bigger plans as she got older. "She had always told me, 'Mother, I want something for myself; I want to be somebody in this world.' "Sarah said.
That dream took a step toward becoming a reality when she enlisted her baby sister June and formed Pointers-A Pair. The duo began singing at local clubs in the Bay Area, and when Anita quit her job to join them, The Pointer Sisters were born. The group began singing back up on sessions by Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Grace Slick and others. Ruth joined prior to the group's first album and formed a quartet.
Bonnie recorded four studio albums and one live album with her sisters, two of which were certified gold. Throughout her tenure with the group, she proved to be a prolific songwriter. Co-writing with Anita, she helped create Pointer classics such as "Fairytale", and "How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side)". In 1975 Anita and Bonnie were nominated for songwriters of the year at the Grammys. "Fairytale" won the group their first Grammy for "Best Country Western Performance By A Due Or Group". The two sisters also teamed up with Stevie Wonder to write "Bring Your Sweet Stuff Home To Me" for the Having A Party album. However, in 1976, Bonnie decided to leave the Pointer Sisters and embark on a solo career. That year, she lent her vocals to Bill Wyman's Stone Alone album. Two years later, in 1978, she released her solo debut on Motown Records.
BONNIE'S ALBUMS
Bonnie Pointer, 1978 (Self-titled) Red album, Motown Records
Bonnie Pointer, 1979 (Self-titled) Purple album, Motown Records
If The Price Is Right, 1984 Private I Records
Like A Picasso, 2011
Bonnie's biggest hit was 1978's "Heaven Must Have Sent You", which peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Thanks to her powerful vocals, the song became a disco classic and still gets played on the radio and at clubs around the world. Bonnie appeared in the motion picture "Road To Nowhere" in 2010 and in the 2016 documentary "Jewels Catch One". She continued to perform until the pandemic hit in 2020. Other singles that have become fan favorites are: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "More and More" and "Jimmy Mack", "Your Touch", "The Beast In Me".
That dream took a step toward becoming a reality when she enlisted her baby sister June and formed Pointers-A Pair. The duo began singing at local clubs in the Bay Area, and when Anita quit her job to join them, The Pointer Sisters were born. The group began singing back up on sessions by Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Grace Slick and others. Ruth joined prior to the group's first album and formed a quartet.
Bonnie recorded four studio albums and one live album with her sisters, two of which were certified gold. Throughout her tenure with the group, she proved to be a prolific songwriter. Co-writing with Anita, she helped create Pointer classics such as "Fairytale", and "How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side)". In 1975 Anita and Bonnie were nominated for songwriters of the year at the Grammys. "Fairytale" won the group their first Grammy for "Best Country Western Performance By A Due Or Group". The two sisters also teamed up with Stevie Wonder to write "Bring Your Sweet Stuff Home To Me" for the Having A Party album. However, in 1976, Bonnie decided to leave the Pointer Sisters and embark on a solo career. That year, she lent her vocals to Bill Wyman's Stone Alone album. Two years later, in 1978, she released her solo debut on Motown Records.
BONNIE'S ALBUMS
Bonnie Pointer, 1978 (Self-titled) Red album, Motown Records
Bonnie Pointer, 1979 (Self-titled) Purple album, Motown Records
If The Price Is Right, 1984 Private I Records
Like A Picasso, 2011
Bonnie's biggest hit was 1978's "Heaven Must Have Sent You", which peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Thanks to her powerful vocals, the song became a disco classic and still gets played on the radio and at clubs around the world. Bonnie appeared in the motion picture "Road To Nowhere" in 2010 and in the 2016 documentary "Jewels Catch One". She continued to perform until the pandemic hit in 2020. Other singles that have become fan favorites are: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "More and More" and "Jimmy Mack", "Your Touch", "The Beast In Me".