Rita Lee

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Rita Lee bigraphy, stories - Brazilian singer

Rita Lee : biography

December 31, 1947 –

Rita Lee Jones Carvalho (born Rita Lee Jones, December 31, 1947), simply known as Rita Lee, is a Brazilian rock singer and composer. Lee continues to be a popular figure in Brazilian entertainment, where she is also known for being an animal rights activist and a vegetarian. She has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.

Personal life

Lee was married to Mutante Arnaldo Baptista from 1971 to 1972. In 1976,MPB singer Ney Matogrosso introduced her to guitarist Roberto de Carvalho, whom she married and had three children: Beto Lee, João Lee and Antônio. She’s been married to Carvalho for 35 years and refers to him as her "boyfriend".

Going solo

In late 1972, Lee left Os Mutantes and started a solo career. She was initially part of a female duo with singer Lúcia Turnbull called Cilibrinas do Éden, and after a short time the duo gave birth to the band Rita Lee & Tutti Frutti. This eventually became Lee’s backing band. In 1975, she recorded the album Fruto Proibido with the band. The album was praised by critics, sold more than 200,000 copies – a record to Brazilian rock and roll singers at the time – and Lee was given the title "Queen of Rock". In 2007, the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone magazine ranked this album as the 16th best Brazilian album of all time in its "100 Best List". The producer was Andy Mills, producer of Alice Cooper and then Lee’s boyfriend.

In the late 1970s, Lee started a partnership with her husband, Roberto de Carvalho, and many subsequent albums were credited to the duo Lee/Carvalho. In the late 1970s, Lee was mentioned in the Caetano Veloso song, "Sampa".

In 1976, pregnant for the first time, she was arrested for having marijuana and condemned to one year of domiciliary imprisonment, when she composed with Paulo Coelho the single "Arrombou a Festa," which sold 200,000 copies. She continued to perform, under special judge permits. Soon after, she recorded the single "Doce de Pimenta" with singer Elis Regina, and recorded and toured with Gilberto Gil in the show/album "Refestança".

In 1978 she released Babilônia, her fourth and last album with the band Tutti Frutti. Lee started recording with her husband, Roberto de Carvalho. The couple wrote hits such as "Mania de Você" (1979), "Lança Perfume" (1980), "Saúde" (1981), "Flagra" (1982) and "On The Rocks" (1983).

Discography

With Os Mutantes

  • 1972: Mutantes e Seus Cometas no País do Baurets (Polydor, 1972)
  • 1971: Jardim Elétrico (Polydor, 1971)
  • 1971: Tecnicolor (abandoned, released 29 years later) (Universal, 2000)
  • 1970: A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado (Polydor, 1970)
  • 1969: Mutantes (Polydor, 1969)
  • 1968: Os Mutantes (Polydor, 1968)
  • 1968: Tropicália: ou Panis et Circenses (Philips, 1968. Collective album with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, Nara Leão and Gal Costa)

Solo albums

  • 2012: Reza
  • 2003: Balacobaco
  • 2001: Aqui, Ali, Em Qualquer Lugar (aka Bossa’n Beatles)
  • 2000: Rita ReLEEda (remixes)
  • 2000: 3001
  • 1997: Santa Rita de Sampa
  • 1993: Todas as Mulheres do Mundo
  • 1990: Rita Lee e Roberto de Carvalho
  • 1989: Dias Melhores Virão (soundtrack)
  • 1988: Zona Zen
  • 1987: Flerte Fatal
  • 1985: Rita e Roberto
  • 1984: Rita Hits (two medleys remixed compilation)
  • 1983: Bombom
  • 1983: Baila Conmigo (in Spanish)
  • 1982: Rita Lee e Roberto de Carvalho
  • 1981: Saúde
  • 1980: Rita Lee
  • 1979: Rita Lee
  • 1978: Babilônia
  • 1976: Entradas e Bandeiras
  • 1975: Fruto Proibido
  • 1974: Atrás do Porto Tem uma Cidade
  • 1972: Hoje é o Primero Dia do Resto da Sua Vida (Cláudio César Dias Baptista talking and playing "zabumba")
  • 1970: Build Up