An Evening of Icons: The Pointer Sisters / The Commodores / The Spinners @ Choctaw Grand Theater, Durant, OK

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

As I begin to write this article, I am almost overwhelmed with the amount of music history I need to condense into a few short paragraphs. For example, the combined legacy of the Pointer Sisters and the Commodores alone spans across five decades with over one-hundred million albums sold, twenty number one hits, and ten top ten albums! The Spinners bring an impressive résumé as well with twenty-two songs cracking the top forty on the R&B charts and their 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And did I mention the Spinners have been spinning since 1954? I will to my best to stick with the facts and forget the fluff. Now on with the show!

Kicking off this night of funk, soul, and all-around rhythm and blues goodness were The Commodores. Established in 1968 in Tuskegee, AL, the band played college parties and a local bar near their school Tuskegee University. William King, Lionel Richie, and Thomas McClary were the core of the group through their most successful period from 1976-1982. King has successfully continued the legacy of The Commodores to this day. Keeping things in the family, Commodore babies, and twins Cody and Colin Orange, sons of long-time drummer Walter Orange, currently hold down vocals and guitar in the most recent evolution of the band. The second longest tenure belongs to vocalist J.D. Nicholas, he has been a constant since 1984.

From the minute they arrive on stage you can feel the tightness of this band. Harmonies are on point. For a moment I am transported back to my formative years with the smooth grooves of songs like “Sail On” and “Lady.” I remember a young man who lived across the street from me that had leukemia introducing me to this style of music. Nichols vocals on “Three Times a Lady” seemed to touch everyone in the theater, as they may have reminisced as I did about a special lady in their lives. No Commodores show would be complete without the big one that everyone came to hear, “Brickhouse!” Cody creates anticipation by asking all the brickhouses in the building to stand up, while the stellar musical ensemble brings it to the next level! At the bottom of our section, I see a young girl dancing in the aisle, proof positive of music’s power to transcend generations. The Commodores time on stage may have only been an hour but they brought back a whole lot of history.

Some technical troubles delayed the the Spinners entry but being veteran performers, they forged ahead. With a history dating back to 1950’s, they have been harmonizing for 70 years! Now mind you there are no original members left but the current members respect the past and preserve the groups initial intent, make great music! Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the group, died in 2024 at the age of 85. He was with the group for 69 years and retired from performing in 2023. He remained involved with the group behind the scenes. Today the Spinners are C.J. Jefferson, Jessie Peck, Marvin Taylor, and Ronnie Moss. Their vocals range from falsetto to baritone. Decade after decade they have made music for the masses with love songs, dance songs, and just feel-good songs. Charting first in 1961 with “That’s What Girls Are Made For” they continued doing so through 1980.

Tonight, they would cover an encyclopedia full of Spinners' gold! Choreographed moves are intertwined with “I’ll Be Around” and “Games People Play.” After my customary three songs up front, I retreated to my seat to enjoy the rest of the show. As “Working My Way Back to You” concluded, Jessie addressed the audience, “For those of you taking pictures or video without our express written consent, please, please keep doing so, we want you to remember this night for a long, long time.” Even the most obscure hit 1975’s “Sadie” had no shortage of spectator participation as fans sang every word to the chorus. “Rubberband Man” brings down the house and leaves fans with lofty expectations from the Pointer Sisters!

Referencing my opening statements this evening’s saga is hard to fathom. This was further emphasized by the five-minute video montage that proceeds the Pointer Sisters. Clips from appearances on talk shows, MTV videos, and numerous photos from years past brought it all into perspective. As the film ended another all-star band ushers Ruth Pointer, her daughter, and granddaughter on stage to the 1979 single, “Happiness.” A 78 year-old Ruth is looking energetic and ready to recreate some Pointer Sisters magic! Sisters Anita, June, and Bonnie have all passed but Ruth continues with granddaughter Sadako and daughter Issa. Both have the gift of powerful voices as Sadako displays to the fullest while taking the lead on “He’s So Shy.”

Issa takes a moment to converse with Durant, OK, “We all need love. Every one of us every now and then needs a gentle touch. We all need a slow hand honey.” With that she seizes the soulful vocals of “Slow Hand.” Taking a stab at modern music, Ruth points out that if you weren’t around in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, you missed it. She ponders, “Do people dance anymore?” Shedding her leather jacket, Ruth turns up the heat while also giving Bruce Springsteen a thank you for one of their biggest hits “Fire.” “Neutron Dance” a song that Ruth was originally was hesitant to sing, due to the word neutron’s violent associations, guided the ladies off stage for a brief break.

After returning to the stage, Ruth introduces the band and asks the Grand Theater a collective question. “Not bad for a 78 year old huh?” Not bad Ruth, not bad at all! The sisters that have moved on to the celestial choir surely must have been proud as Issa and Sadako take command of their hit “Jump (For My Love).” While I look this piece over, I find it is very lengthy, but I feel it needs to be to cover the scope of these three groups and their contribution to music history. As Ruth is thanking everyone that makes it happen, her words sum it best. “We are so glad you that you still love these songs, we love 'em too!”

Thank to the tour’s PR firm for having MTC MAG out to review the show! And as always thank you Choctaw Casino for another great show!

Photos of the show are below:

The Spinners