Paying tribute today to three more music vets we lost over the holiday weekend…
Anita Pointer, the lead vocalist for the Pointer Sisters, passed away Saturday at her home in Beverly Hills surrounded by family, at the age of 74 from cancer. She lost sister Bonnie and daughter Jada in 2020 and sister June passed in 2006. The Pointer Sisters had major hits in the 70s and 80s and made history with their country single “Fairytale,” becoming the first Black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in 1974 and winning the Grammy for best country performance by a duo or group in 1975. They are still the only Black women to win a Grammy in a country music category. Anita and her sisters were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 and were inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 1998.
Earth Wind & Fire drummer Freddie White passed away Sunday, according to an Instagram post from brother and EWF’s bassist Verdine White. Freddie was a child protégé with gold records at age 16 as one of the R&B supergroup’s original 9 members with three of his other brothers. He was preceded in death by brothers, Maurice, Monte and Ronald.
And Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, rapper and former member of Three 6 Mafia better known as Gangsta Boo, was found dead Sunday afternoon at her home in Memphis at the age of 43. She was the second female member to join the Oscar-winning rap group.
Thankful for they left their artistry behind... sad they're no longer with us. Condolences and love to their family, friend and fans.
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