The Pointers

June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters poses after the Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1982. June, the youngest of the Pointer Sisters, died of cancer April 11, 2006, at the age of 52. She had been hospitalized since late February. The type of cancer wasn't disclosed.

The Pointer Sisters perform Dec. 1, 2001, at a benefit for needy children at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center International in Los Angeles. June died "in the arms of her sisters, Ruth and Anita, and her brothers, Aaron and Fritz, by her side," according to a family statement. "Although her sister, Bonnie, was unable to be present, she was with her in spirit."

Little Richard and the Pointer Sisters perform during the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th ... A Celebration" TV special honoring the dance music show April 21, 2002, in Pasadena, Calif. June is at far right. The sisters were known for the '70s and '80s hits "I'm So Excited," "Fire" and "Slow Hand."

Here's another shot of Little Richard and the Pointer Sisters on the "American Bandstand" special April 21, 2002. Four Pointer 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.

The Pointer Sisters started out singing backup for artists such as Taj Mahal, Boz Scaggs and Elvin Bishop. 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," which featured an eclectic mix of musical styles ranging from jazz to country and pop.

Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1977 for a solo career. The Pointer Sisters recorded several 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."

Anita Pointer from the Pointer Sisters attends the William Morris Agency Grammy Party Feb. 8, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The Pointer Sisters won a Grammy Award in 1974 for best country vocal performance by a group for the song "Fairytale."

The Pointer Sisters, from left: June, Anita and Ruth are seen in this June 1990 file photo in New York. June recorded two solo albums and later left the trio. Anita and Ruth still perform under the group's name. Ruth's daughter, Issa Pointer, is the trio's newest member.

June Pointer is seen in this Aug. 24, 1995, file photo in New York. In 2004, June Pointer was charged with felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor possession of a smoking device, reports The Associated Press. She was ordered to a rehabilitation facility.

Ruth, Anita and June Pointer on March 15, 1991.