The Pointer Sisters

Episode notes

 

The Pointer Sisters Get Excited (About Music, Clothes, and More)The Pointer Sisters have always been musical chameleons. They had huge dance-pop hits in the 1980s, like “I’m So Excited” and “Jump (For My Love)”, but at that point they had already found success in genres from jazz to R&B to disco, and even won a Grammy for their country hit, “Fairytale”. The sisters grew up in Oakland, California and were taught by their reverend father that rock and roll was ‘the devil’s work’. However, when their parents weren’t around, they snuck in listening sessions to Elvis, The Supremes, and James Brown.

Sisters Bonnie and June Pointer formed the earliest incarnation of the group in 1969, joined within several years by Ruth and Anita. They recorded their debut self-titled album in 1973, and the single “Yes We Can Can” became their first hit. They went on to record more hits over the next few decades, including “How Long (Betcha’ Got a Chick on the Side)”, a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire”, and “He’s So Shy”.

Ruth and Anita Pointer join us for a wild and entertaining interview about their signature vintage style, forging their own musical path, and mixing family with business.

This interview originally aired February 18, 2014.

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Carolyn Kellogg Talks WesternsEvery week we like to check in with one of our favorite culture critics to get some recommendations of things that are worth your time. This week, Los Angeles Times book critic Carolyn Kellogg stops by to talk about some of her all-time favorite westerns, starting with one that broke the mold.

Her first recommendation is Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses.

Kellogg also recommends Patrick DeWitt’s The Sisters Brothers.

This segment originally aired July 22, 2014.

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Bobby Lopez on The Song That Changed My Life: “Pure Imagination”Think of a song you know by heart. A song that’s been in your life for such a long time, you don’t even remember when you first heard it. Maybe it was in your favorite movie as a kid.

Bobby Lopez writes those kind of songs. He’s a composer for musicals and movies, and co-created the hit Broadway shows The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q. He and his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez are behind the enormously successful songs for Disney’s Frozen, including Let It Go.

This week, Bobby shares the song that changed his life: the inspiring and magical Pure Imagination, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

This segment originally aired February 18, 2014.

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The Outshot: The Muppet MovieWhy do folks get into showbiz? If you think it’s all to get attention, fame, or money, let The Muppet Movie show you why you’re wrong.

This segment originally aired February 18, 2014.

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