The singer-songwriter Rita Leeauthor of songs that became feminist symbols in Brazil, died in Sao Paulo at the age of 75, her family reported Tuesday on social media.
The artist, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, died on Monday “at her residence in Sao Paulo, last night, surrounded by all the love of her family, as she always wanted,” said a statement published in your Instagram account.
His wake will be “open to the public” on Wednesday at the Ibirapuera Park Planetarium in Sao Paulo, said the family, who thanked the “love” of the people in a “moment of deep sadness.”
“According to Rita’s will, her body will be cremated,” he added.
Born in Sao Paulo on December 31, 1947, Rita Lee rose to national fame with the psychedelic rock trio you mutantsduring the rise of “tropicalismo”, a libertarian movement that revolutionized Brazilian music during the military dictatorship (1964-1985).
Starting in 1972, he continued his career with the band Tutti Frutti and later as a soloist.
“Queen of Rock”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defined the artist as “one of the greatest and most brilliant names in Brazilian music.”
“It seemed inappropriate to her to be called “queen of rock”, but that nickname does justice to her career. Rita helped transform Brazilian music with her creativity and daring,” the president said on his social networks.
“She did not forgive anything or anyone with her humor and eloquence. She confronted machismo in life and in music, and inspired generations of women in rock and art. She will never be forgotten,” added Lula.
The 80-year-old singer Gilberto Gil paid tribute to him on the networks with a compilation of photos and videos playing together over the years.
“Rest, my sister. I love you. A fraternal hug from the Gil family,” he wrote.
Comadre Rita, Anibal, cabrinha, capricorn capricorn, friend… Rest, minha irmã. I love you. A brotherly embrace from the Gil family, our boys Roberto, Beto, João and Antonio, our family and friends and our friends, as well as us.
— Gilberto Gil (@gilbertogil)
May 9, 2023
Sex, love and freedom
A pioneer woman on the music scene, Rita Lee wore extravagant outfits and became known for her irreverent songs, which spoke of sex, love and freedom and became feminist symbols.
With a slim complexion, her red bangs and colored glasses became her trademark.
“My mother, whom I love more than anything in this life, became a star in the sky. What an intense and spectacular life you have had. Admired and loved by so many people, so ahead of your time,” Joao wrote on Instagram Lee, one of their three children.
“Your legacy, your story and your art will live on forever,” he added.
Rita Lee announced her retirement from the stage at age 64, in 2012, citing “physical frailty.”
The Brazilian Minister of Culture, the singer Margareth Menezes, defined her as “a revolutionary woman” and asked for a minute of silence during a hearing in the Federal Senate on Tuesday.
In her fifty-year career, Rita Lee has released more than 30 albums, has been nominated seven times for the Latin Grammy and won once in 2001, in the Best Brazilian Rock Album category, for her album “3001”.
