Pointer Sisters

Band Members: Ruth, Anita, Bonnie and June Pointer
Hometown: Oakland, California
Biggest Hit Singles: Automatic, number two, 1984, Jump (For My Love), number six, 1984
Career Highlights: Honoured with a Star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame, Three Grammy Awards

The Pointer Sisters could turn their hand at almost everything. Growing up in a religious family in the late 60s, they were keen to grab the creative reigns when they formed a band. And they definitely brought something unique to 70s R&B, combining jazz with scat and pop to create a new sound, not to mention their homemade 40s-inspired costumes!

In 1972 they recorded Pinball Number Count, a string of cartoons to teach kids how to count. It made its debut on Sesame Street and stayed as a regular feature for years after.

After a load of hits, including Yes We Can Can and How Long, Bonnie quit the group to start a solo career at Motown. The trio continued making music into the 80s, moving into more dance-orientated music and updating their image. Meanwhile Bonnie had success with the album Heaven Must Have Sent You.

These days all the sisters tend to stay out of the limelight, though they did reform to play to US troops during the first Gulf War in 1991, and in 2001 the trendy London-based dance record company Ninja Tune re-released a version of Pinball Number Count.