Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of MaximumFun.org and is distributed by NPR.

It's Bullseye, I'm Jesse Thorn. As 2022 drew to a close this past December, American music

lost a treasure. Anita Pointer, alongside her sisters June Bonny and Ruth, she was a

founding member of the Pointer Sisters. To mark her passing, we're replaying my conversation

with Ruth and Anita from 2014. The Pointer Sisters were and are legends. Few R&B acts from the

1970s made it through to the 1980s and fewer got stronger. The Pointer Sisters were already music

industry veterans when they had their biggest hits in the mid 1980s. Tracks that are ubiquitous

even today, like this one from 1982.

The Pointer Sisters made it through the disco era and out the other side because they were

always brilliant chameleons. They had pop R&B and even country hits in the 70s. They even sang

straight jazz. This is a cover of the bebop classic Salt Peanuts.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention this absolute stone-cold classic from Sesame Street.

Ruth and Anita Pointer joined me on the show now. Ruth and Anita, welcome to Bullseye. It's

great to have you on the show.

Thank you.

I have to admit, I was changing from my workout clothes into my work clothes this morning.

Wow, I'm so excited was playing on my stereo here in my office. I felt like I was in a really

thrilling film montage. Wow. I wanted to work out all over, Candidium.

Yes, absolutely. I was pumped. I was ready to go.

It's a go. Wow. You guys and your sisters and brothers grew up in Oakland.

You tell me a little bit about what your home was like. Maybe Ruth, you could start. You're the eldest.

Well, I was crowded. I'll tell you that.

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