Bonnie Pointer, a Grammy Award winner who was a founding member of the Pointer Sisters, died Monday, her sister announced. She was 69.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning,” Anita Pointer told TMZ. “Our family is devastated. On behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.”
Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career, Variety reported.
Three of the Pointer sisters -- Bonnie, Anita and June -- formed the group in 1969, Variety reported. The sisters had begun singing at the West Oakland Church of God in Oakland, California, which was their father’s church.
A fourth sister, Ruth, joined the group in 1972, and the quartet released their debut album the following year. The record yielded the hit “Yes We Can Can.”
Bonnie and Anita Pointer teamed up and won a Grammy Award in 1974 in the country music category for writing the hit “Fairytale.”
“Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day,” Anita Pointer said in a statement. “We never had a fight in our life. I already miss her and I will see her again one day.”
June Pointer died in 2006. Bonnie and Anita released a tribute song their sister June, “Feels Like June.” A spokesperson said it was Bonnie’s final recording, Variety reported.
Bonnie Pointer’s biggest hit as a solo artist was “Heaven Must Have Sent You,” which peaked at No. 11 in 1979. She recorded and released four solo albums, the last of which was “Like a Picasso” in 2011, Variety reported.
The sisters received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.