Rita Lee

Born

1947-12-31

Died

2023-05-08

Birthplace

São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Biography

Rita Lee Jones de Carvalho, OMC • ORB better known as Rita Lee (born Rita Lee Jones; São Paulo, December 31, 1947 – São Paulo, May 8, 2023) was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, television presenter and writer. Known as the "Queen of Brazilian rock", she was the woman who sold the most records, 55 million, making her the most successful female artist in terms of sales in Brazil and the fourth overall, behind by Tonico & Tinoco, Roberto Carlos and Nelson Gonçalves. She built a career that began with rock, but over the years flirted with different genres, such as psychedelia, during the tropicalismo era, pop rock, disco, new wave, pop, bossa nova and electronica, creating a hybridism pioneer among international and national genres. Rita is considered one of the most influential women in Brazil, being a reference for those who came to use the guitar from the mid-1970s. Former member of the group Os Mutantes (1966–1972) and Tutti Frutti (1973–1978), participated in important revolutions in the world of music and society.