Youngest Pointer Sister dies of cancer at age 52

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- June Pointer, the youngest of the Pointer Sisters -- known for the '70s and '80s hits "I'm So Excited," "Fire" and "Slow Hand" -- died of cancer, her family said Wednesday. She was 52.
Pointer died Tuesday at Santa Monica University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, the family said in a statement. She had been hospitalized since late February. The type of cancer was not disclosed.
The four sisters grew up singing in the choir of an Oakland church where their parents were ministers. Bonnie and June formed a singing duo and began performing in clubs around the San Francisco Bay area. Anita and Ruth later joined the group.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973, and the song "Yes We Can Can" became their first hit. They followed up with "That's A Plenty" and won a Grammy Award in 1974 for best country vocal performance by a group for the song "Fairytale."
Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1977 for a solo career.
The Pointer Sisters recorded more albums, including 1984's "Break Out," which won two Grammys for "Automatic" and "Jump [for My Love]." The album's other hit song, "Neutron Dance," was prominently featured in the movie "Beverly Hills Cop."
June recorded two solo albums, and later left the trio.