I was deeply saddened yesterday morning to hear about the death of Anita Pointer, one of my favourite singers. I had met her on September 5, 2009 after seeing her perform in concert as the Pointer Sisters with her sister Ruth and grandniece Sadako. Anita was a songwriter as well as a singer, and many of the Pointers’ hits were written by her, including “Fairytale”, “I’m So Excited” and “How Long (Betcha’ Got a Chick on the Side)”.
From November 1983 to April 2001 I kept my own weekly singles chart. I kept an albums chart for a full twenty years until the end of 2003. The Pointer Sisters were one of my most prolific artists, scoring fifteen top ten hit singles and seven number ones. Here is the history of the Pointer Sisters on my singles and albums charts:
Top Ten Singles
Song / Peak Position (Weeks at #1)
Automatic / 4
Jump (For My Love) / 3
Neutron Dance / 1 (1)
Baby Come and Get It / 2
Dare Me / 4
Freedom / 2
Twist My Arm / 1 (2)
Goldmine / 1 (2)
All I Know is the Way I Feel / 1 (2)
He Turned Me Out / 1 (3)
I’m in Love / 7
Friends’ Advice (Don’t Take It) / 1 (3)
After You / 4
Don’t Walk Away / 1 (10)
Tell it to My Heart / 3
Top Ten Albums
Album / Peak Position (Weeks at #1)
Break Out / 2
Contact / 2
Hot Together / 1 (9)
Serious Slammin’ / 1 (9)
Right Rhythm / 1 (12)
Only Sisters Can Do That / 1 (12)
Fire–The Very Best of the Pointer Sisters / 1 (15)
Legendary Pointer Sisters / 6