The other day we were watching live TV, and could not escape commercials by using our PVR. That's when I heard it in a commercial for Winners. It wasn’t the Pointer Sisters singing, but it was unmistakably their song “I’m so Excited”.
It took me back to that time we were all getting excited about the Pointer Sisters.
In the beginning
The Pointer Sisters actually began in 1969, and grew into a quartet of sisters June, Bonnie, Anita, and Ruth. They had some early success, winning a Grammy in1975 for Best Country Vocal Performance for “Fairytale”. Bonnie left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career.
The Pointer Sisters actually began in 1969, and grew into a quartet of sisters June, Bonnie, Anita, and Ruth. They had some early success, winning a Grammy in1975 for Best Country Vocal Performance for “Fairytale”. Bonnie left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career.
The group of Anita, June and Ruth experienced their greatest success, starting in 1978 when they released a soft rock album called “Energy”.
The first single released was a cover version of Bruce Springsteen’s song “Fire”. It was a huge success going all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in early 1979.
The future looked bright for the Pointer Sisters as a new decade dawned.
Peak of success
The Pointer Sisters released “He’s So Shy” in 1980, as the first single off their new album “Special Things”. “He’s So Shy” went all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The Pointer Sisters released “He’s So Shy” in 1980, as the first single off their new album “Special Things”. “He’s So Shy” went all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
A year later “Slow Hand”, their first single from their latest album “Black and White”, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. “Slow Hand” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and “Black and White” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
In 1982, they released the album “So Excited!”, including the single “I’m So Excited”, which peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Pointer Sisters released their next album “Breakout” in 1983, and it became a hit maker. The second release from “Breakout” was “Automatic”, and it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. “Jump (For My Love)” was the next release, going all the way to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. A re-mix of “I’m so Excited” followed and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
The band got their fourth straight top 10 single with “Neutron Dance”, which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. “Neutron Dance” had the added benefit of being part of the soundtrack for “Beverly Hills Cop”, a smash hit starring Eddie Murphy.
For their efforts, the Pointer Sisters won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Jump (For My Love)” and for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices for “Automatic”.
In 1985, they joined USA for Africa to record “We Are the World”, a charity song raising money for African famine relief.
Later in 1985, they released the album “Contact”. The second single from that album, “Dare Me”, peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the Pointer Sisters’ last top 20 hit to date. “Contact” was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
In 1985, they also won American Music Awards for Favourite Band, Duo or Group for Soul/Rhythm and Blues; and Favourite Group Video Artist for Soul/Rhythm and Blues. They added another American Music Award in 1986 for Favourite Group Video Artist for Soul/Rhythm and Blues.
The Pointer Sisters kept on recording and performing well into the 21st Centuty.
In 1994, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ruth is alive and well at the age of 78 years old. June Pointer died in 2006; Bonnie Pointer died in 2020; and Anita Pointer died in 2022.
Parting thoughts
For a period of time in the ‘80s, the Pointer Sisters were as popular as anyone on the radio. Their songs were upbeat, energetic, and just made you want to dance.
For a period of time in the ‘80s, the Pointer Sisters were as popular as anyone on the radio. Their songs were upbeat, energetic, and just made you want to dance.
They have also had staying power.
Beyond “I’m So Excited” being in that commercial for Winners, I had a personal experience.
One of my co-workers was born in 1982. He was just a baby during the height of the Pointer Sisters’ fame and success. A few weeks ago, he did not realize we were heading into a long weekend.
When he heard that, he started singing “I’m So Excited…”
Now that’s staying power we can all get excited about.
No comments:
Post a Comment