The greatest singer in the history of Brazilian rock and one of the key names in national music at any time, Rita Lee Jones de Carvalho stood out as a songwriter with a handful, capable of creating not only poignant songs full of attitude, but also romantic ballads, those that melt hearts. Died at 75, on Monday night (9), she leaves an invaluable legacy not only for music, but for the entire Brazilian culture.
Its versatility resulted in dozens of historical albums and, mainly, resounding hits, which played incessantly on radio stations and soap operas.
Rita’s musical history began when she was still a teenager, when she participated in groups such as “Six Sided Rockers” and “O Konjunto”. This would change its name to “Os Bruxos” with its first great musical partners: the brothers Arnaldo and Sérgio Dias Baptista.
Soon after, advised by Ronnie Von, they changed their name to Os Mutantes. It was the beginning of the trajectory of what is considered by many to be the greatest group in the history of Brazilian Rock, notable for its psychedelic songs and a lot of inventiveness in the arrangements. They began to perform on Record television programs, such as “Jovem Guarda” and had their greatest moment at the 1966 Brazilian Music Festival, performing “Domingo no Parque” alongside Gilberto Gil.
Known for its irreverence and creativity, the group had hits like “Baby” and “Panis et Circensis”, composed by colleagues Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. But it didn’t take long for her to become famous with her own compositions, alongside the Baptista brothers, such as “Ando Meio Disconnected” and “Balada do Louco”, the latter sung by Arnaldo.
Solo career and Tutti Frutti
Rita remained in Mutantes until 1972, when she left the band in a dramatic way. Before that, however, she released her first solo album: “Build Up”, in 1970. Then she released two other albums: “Toje é o Primeiro Dia do Resto de Sua Vida”, from 1972, and “Atrás do Porto tem a city”.
It is from this post-mutants period that his first successes as a solo artist emerge: “Mamãe Natureza” and “Ando Jururu”.
But it was when she formed the group Tutti Frutti, one of the most important of the so-called Hard Rock, that Rita Lee reached a new level of success and began a long career as a hitmaker. In 1975 she released the album “Fruto Proibido”, which sold more than 700,000 copies – an astonishing number for the time – and is always remembered as one of the greatest Brazilian rock albums of all time. The disc brings together classics such as “Ovelha Negra”, “Now only you are missing” and “Esse so de Rock Enrou”, in partnership with Paulo Coelho.
Partnership with Roberto de Carvalho
After leaving Tutti Frutti, Rita Lee entered a new phase in 1978, composing and producing several albums with Roberto Carvalho, who would be her great musical and personal partner. For decades, they composed some of the biggest hits in Brazilian rock and pop.
Right on the duo’s first album, a series of great hits won radio stations in the country, such as “Jardins da Babilônia”. In 1979, a new album and more successes: “Doce Vampiro”, “Papai, me Lend o Carro” and “Mania de Você”, so played until today that, according to Ecad, it is the most performed song of the singer in the last 10 years .
The 1980s were Rita Lee’s commercial peak. It was the period in which the singer featured several songs in Globo soap operas – including as opening themes, which at the time was the main sign of prestige and success for any Brazilian artist.
The list is extensive: “Caso Sério”, “Lança Perfume”, “Nem Luxo, Nem Lixo” and “Baila Comigo”, instant classics, are from the 1980 album. Flagra”, “Banho de Foam”, “Sorry Auê”, “Better Days Will Come”, “Health”, “Cor de Rosa Choque”, “Bwana”.
After the 1990s, she continued to score several hits, such as “Obrigado, não”, “Fruta Madura” and “Pagu”, with Zélia Duncan. One of her last great successes, already in the 21st century, was “Amor e Sexo”, from 2003, in an unusual partnership with filmmaker Arnaldo Jabor.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
