( ) – Rita Lee, Brazilian singer and icon of the rock movement in that country, died Monday at her home in Sao Paulo, according to a statement shared by her family. on the artist’s verified Instagram account. She was 75 years old.
No details were given about his death, but a publication on his Instagram account indicates that, during the coronavirus pandemic, Rita Lee was diagnosed with lung cancer.
This diagnosis prompted her to write her second autobiography, due out May 22. She follows her first book on her life, which she released in 2016.
The new book, according to the publication, would give details about the treatment she was subjected to.
In February, the singer was admitted to undergo a series of tests, said one of her three sons, Joao Lee. On Instagram.
Joao Lee also spread the news of her passing in a post shared with his mother’s Instagram account and talked about some of the qualities of the “Queen of Rock”.
“The world has lost one of the most unique and amazing people that has ever lived. I lost my mother. But you are eternal Your legacy, your story and your art will live on forever. This is my lifelong mission. As long as I am alive and full of grace, you will continue to make many people happy,” Joao Lee said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of official mourning for Lee’s death, according to a publication in the page of the presidency. On his Twitter account, the president said that the singer was one of the most prominent names in Brazilian music.
“Rita Lee Jones is one of the biggest and brightest names in Brazilian music. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, and multi-instrumentalist. An artist ahead of her time. The title of queen of rock seemed inappropriate to me, but the nickname does justice to her career, ”Lula da Silva said on Twitter.
Rita Lee Jones is one of the two greatest and greatest names in Brazilian music. Singer, composer, actress and multi-instrumentalist. An artist in front of her time. She considered the title of rainha do rock inappropriate, but the nickname was just for her trajectory.
Rita helped to transform…
– Lula (@LulaOficial) May 9, 2023
Likewise, the president recalled Lee’s sense of humor, as well as his feminist struggle.
“He spared no one or nothing with his humor and eloquence. She faced machismo in life and music and inspired generations of women in rock and art, ”said the president.
Rita Lee’s impact on music
Known as Brazil’s “Queen of Rock”, Lee had a career spanning six decades and is remembered for songs like “Mania de você”, “Ovelha negra” and “Lança perfume”, heard particularly in Argentina during the 1980s. He was part of bands like Os Mutantes and Tutti Frutti. In the early 1970s she began her solo career. “Build Up” was her first album.
In 2022 he received the Musical Excellence Award from the Latin Recording Academy.
In a statement, the Latin Grammys said that “Rita Lee was a visionary artist and one of the most successful singer-songwriters in Brazilian musical history. Winner of a Latin Grammy® and nominated on multiple occasions, the queen of Brazilian rock sparked the tropicália movement with the groups Os Mutantes and Tutti Frutti”.
Singers like Fito Páez mourned the death of the artist. In an Instagram post, the Argentine interpreter said that Rita Lee’s smile and music “brought joy and freedom to this world.” And he added: “All of us who love you have lost an invaluable artist and person.”
In addition, he highlighted the musical contributions of the “Queen of Rock”.
“A central member of Brazilian rock culture, Rita dedicated herself to relaxing all the contractions of society with grace, humor and her charming voice. Nuclear Paulista, tropicalista and spinal mutant”, said Fito Páez.
Although she was the queen of rock in her country, Lee also ventured into the waters of pop by paying tribute to one of the best-known bands in the world, The Beatles. The singer herself interpreted some of the hymns of the British with Bossa Nova rhythms. These themes were embodied in the production “Here, there, in any place” (2001).
Rita Lee, on her death
In her first autobiography, Rita Lee wrote about what she imagined the day of her death would be like.
She said that she could imagine the words of those who hated her. “Some radio stations will play my songs for free, colleagues will say that I will be missed in the music world, who knows, maybe they will even give my name to a dead end. The fans, those sincere ones, will pick up the covers of my records and chant Ovelha negra”.
He said that no politician would attend his funeral, “since he never attended rallies of any of them” and that he would come back to life “to boo them.”
He ended by saying that she will be present “in heaven, playing my autoharp and singing to God, Thank you, Lord, finally sedated.”
The singer’s body will be cremated and funeral services will be private, her family said on Instagram.
