June Pointer

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June Pointer, as shown on the cover of her self-titled 1989 album
June Pointer, as shown on the cover of her self-titled 1989 album

June Antoinette Pointer Whitmore (November 30, 1953 – April 11, 2006) was an American vocalist best known for her work with the Pointer Sisters.

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Born as the youngest of six siblings, the youngest of four sisters to minister parents, and like her sisters, June found a love for singing. In 1969, she and elder sister Bonnie formed 'The Pointers - A Pair'. The duo became a trio later on that year when Anita quit her job as a secretary to join them changing their name to The Pointer Sisters. After failed singles with Atlantic Records, and after recruiting eldest sister Ruth in 1972, the group signed with Blue Thumb where their history-making career finally began taking off.

[edit] The Pointer Sisters and solo career

Releasing their self-titled debut album in 1973, the Pointer Sisters found fame with hit singles such as "Yes We Can Can", the country hit, "Fairytale", and the R&B hits, "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)" and "You Gotta Believe" before Bonnie made a sudden exit from the group to forge a solo career in 1977.

After much thought, the remaining members decided to continue on as a trio. Their decision sparked the group's biggest successes finding stardom with Top 10 pop singles such as their Bruce Springsteen cover of "Fire" (1978), "He's So Shy" (1980), "Slow Hand" (1981), and "I'm So Excited" (1982) before releasing their landmark 1983 recording, Break Out, which featured the group's biggest hits, "Jump (for My Love)" and a re-release of "Excited". June is notable for being the lead singer of hit songs such as "He's So Shy", "Jump (For My Love)", "Baby Come and Get It" and "Dare Me".

The group eventually would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame confirming their legendary status. June ventured into a solo career releasing two solo albums in 1983 and 1989 scoring solo hits with 1983's "Ready For Some Love" and 1989's "Tight On Time (I'll Fit U In)". Her backing vocals on the Pointers' assisted guest spot on Bruce Willis' hit single, the cover of the Staples Singers' "Respect Yourself", had helped Willis score a top 5 pop single in 1987.

Struggling with drug addiction for much of her life, June had left the Pointer Sisters by 2005.


[edit] Marriage

Divorced from William Oliver Whitmore II after a thirteen-year marriage that ended in 1991, June had no children.


[edit] Death

Pointer died from lung cancer, reportedly in the arms of sisters Ruth and Anita, and with brothers Aaron and Fritz by her side, on April 11, 2006.

[edit] References

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