Rita Lee, Brazil’s undisputed Queen of Rock, dies aged 75
Tributes pour in for founder of Os Mutantes, who sardonically named her tumour after far-right president Jair Bolsonaro
Rita Lee, the legendary Brazilian musician, composer and founder of the trailblazing band Os Mutantes, has died at 75, prompting emotional tributes to Brazil’s undisputed “Queen of Rock”.
Rita Lee was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, memorably nicknaming her tumour “Jair” – a sardonic reference to Brazil’s widely loathed then president, Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree Tuesday declaring three days of national mourning over the death Rita Lee, who is regarded as the country’s undisputed “Queen of Rock.”
The 75-year-old musician, composer and co-founder of the band Os Mutantes died Monday night at her residence in Sao Paulo after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Lee’s family confirmed her death on social media.
Lula expressed his condolences and admiration for the late singer on his Twitter account.
"Rita Lee Jones is one of the biggest and brightest names in Brazilian music. Singer, composer, actress and multi-instrumentalist. An artist ahead of her time. She thought the title of rock queen was inappropriate, but the moniker does justice to her career," he wrote.
