Joining her sisters in 1972, the Pointer Sisters released their first album in 1973. The group eventually found fame with songs like "
Yes We Can Can" (1973), their
country crossover hit, "
Fairytale" (1974) and "
How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)" before Bonnie's exit in 1977. Continuing as a trio, the group found their biggest success covering tunes of rock, pop and
new wave with singles such as "
Fire" (1978), "
He's So Shy" (1980), and "
Slow Hand" (1981). The group found its biggest success with the release of the
Break Out album in 1983 which featured hits such as "Automatic", "Jump (For My Love)", a re-released version of "
I'm So Excited", "Neutron Dance", and "Baby Come And Get It". It's notable for featuring Ruth's lead vocals on "
Automatic" and "
Neutron Dance", which hit the top ten of the
Billboard Hot 100 Chart and led to the group winning two
Grammy Awards. In 1988, Pointer, along with
Billy Vera provided vocals for the song "Enemies Like You and Me" from the soundtrack to
Iron Eagle II. That same year, Pointer also provided the singing voice of the character Rita in the
Disney film
Oliver & Company, where she sang the song "Streets of Gold" as well as a reprise of the song "Why Should I Worry" with fellow cast member
Billy Joel. The Pointer Sisters were joined by Ruth's daughter
Issa in the 1990s. The group was given a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994. In October 2021, Pointer competed in
season six of
The Masked Singer as "Cupcake". Pointer revealed upon her unmasking that she was supposed to perform on the show as part of a duo with her sister Anita in a duplicated and recolored Cupcake costume. Anita was dealing with an illness, forcing Ruth to perform alone. == Personal life ==