Happy Birthday to Anita of The Pointer Sisters

We here at 38thnotes would love to extend our birthday wishes to Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.

If you consider yourself an Oakland music buff, then we can assume that you are up on the Pointer Sisters. BUT if you have never heard of the Oakland group, allow this to be your very brief intro to the West Oakland sisters with a throwback sound and vintage look. 

Like many musicians The Pointer Sisters grew up in the church singing gospel music, but upon attending Oakland Tech they became introduced to a wider variety of the "devil's music." When the musical sisters finally made a go of music full time and were signed, they struggled to identify their sound and style. Rising to prominence in the 1970s it would have been very easy for them to take the disco route, but instead they opted for a throwback bebop jazz sound and a thrift store 1940s aesthetic. 

Over the years they developed a reputation for their versatility by recording hit records in a variety of genres, including bebop, jazz, R&B, country and rock. In fact no event best signifies their versatility than being the first ever African-American female singers to perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry–an age-old bastion of white southern culture and music. They even won a Grammy for Best Country Song written by a duo or group. Not quite what you would expect from some sisters from West Oakland. 

Over the years their sounds and styles evolved, but they always managed to do things their own way. If you're familiar with Bay Area music, then you know that that brand of originality seems to grow indigenous here. Cheers Anita!