1947

Born in São Paulo into a family of American and Italian immigrants, Lee studied classical piano with the renowned pianist Magdalena Tagliaferro. Soon enough, Lee abandoned classical music and started playing the drums at school parties during her teens. Later on, Lee learnt to play the bass and founded a vocal female group. In the mid-60's, she met brothers Arnaldo and Sérgio Dias Baptista, with whom she founded one of the most important Brazilian rock groups: Os Mutantes. In 1970, Rita Lee released her first solo album ("Build Up"), but she remained with Os Mutantes until the end of 1972, when she left the group. After a period of seclusion, Lee returned to the music biz with the band Tutti-Frutti, with whom she recorded some of her greatest hits like "Ovelha Negra", "Agora Só Falta Você", "Esse Tal de Roque Enrow", "Miss Brasil 2000" and "Jardins da Babilônia". In 1976, she was charged with possession of cannabis. 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". Facing truble with her band mates, Lee started recording with her husband, guitarist Roberto de Carvalho. The couple wrote big hits like "Mania de Você" (79), "Lança Perfume" (80, "Saúde" (81), "Flagra" (82) and "On The Rocks" (83), which presented a new side of Rita Lee as a composer who alternates ballads and pop songs.

In the 80's, rumors about the singer's poor health and personal problems shook her career and kept her away from the limelight. In 1985, Lee made a comeback with "Rita e Roberto", and two years later she released "Flerte Fatal" which did not get very good reviews by the critics and resulted in a double crisis. As a result, Lee spent time working as an actress and a Tv host.

In 1990 she released the commercially successful acoustic CD "Bossa'n'Roll". Five years later, she opened up the Rolling Stones concerts in Brasil. In 1997 she received a Sharp Music Award, released other records and toured Brazil.

Some of Lee's greatest hits include "Mamãe Natureza", "Menino Bonito", "Ando Jururú", "Arrombou a festa", "Baila Comigo", "Chega Mais", Cor-de-rosa Choque", "Desculpe o Auê", "Caso Sério", "Bwana" and "Orra Meu".