Rita Lee, Original Os Mutantes Singer and Brazil’s Queen of Rock, Dies at 75
Rita Lee, a founding member of Tropicália group Os Mutantes who was regarded as Brazil’s “Queen of Rock,” has died, according to a statement posted on the musician’s official Instagram page. There will be a public memorial for the musician tomorrow at São Paulo’s Professor Aristóteles Orsini Planetarium. Lee’s cause of death was not disclosed. The artist was 75 years old.
Lee formed Os Mutantes in 1966 alongside brother duo Arnaldo Baptista and Sérgio Dias Baptista. Their debut, self-titled LP arrived two years later, fusing psychedelia, pop, and experimental techniques such as distortion, feedback, and musique concrète. The album includes songs co-written by Brazilian legends like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Jorge Ben, as well as originals penned by the trio.
Os Mutantes have become one of the most beloved groups from Brazil, with their impact extending into modern American rock. Kurt Cobain, David Byrne, Of Montreal, Flea, and many others have cited the group as an important influence.
Lee issued her first solo album, Build Up, in 1970, followed by over 20 more albums. Earlier work included her backing band Tutti Frutti, but, starting in 1979, she worked with her husband, Roberto de Carvalho, and issued many records as Rita Lee & Roberto. Lee composed, sang, and played a number of different instruments, including harmonica, autoharp, piano, and drums. She was also among the first Brazilian artists to record with the electric guitar.
Lee’s final solo album, Reza, arrived in 2012—the same year she announced her retirement from live performances. In 2021, Lee and de Carvalho released a new song called “Change,” along with remixes of Lee’s most memorable work.
Source: Pitchfork
