Catherine Ringer, one half of the French duo Les Rita Mitsouko, passed away following a battle with cancer. The vocalist and multi-instrumentalist was recognized for her ability to work across multiple musical genres, including synth-pop, rock, chanson, and tango, while also incorporating visual arts, poetry, and dance into her artistic practice.
Ringer’s early career included appearances in avant-garde theatre and other film work during her teenage years in Paris in the late 1970s. She studied dance and caught the attention of composer Iannis Xenakis, who cast her as a soloist in 1977. Her trajectory shifted significantly in 1979 when she joined the rock opera Flash Rouge, where she met guitarist Fred Chichin. The two formed Rita Mitsouko and later renamed themselves Les Rita Mitsouko, collaborating for the next 28 years and producing seven studio albums along with three children together.
Their 1984 self-titled debut album featured the hit single Marcia Baila, which reached number two on the French charts and sold over one million copies. Subsequent albums brought further success, with collaborations from notable figures including producer Tony Visconti, David Bowie’s associate, as well as the band Sparks and musician Iggy Pop. Throughout her career, Ringer developed a distinctive stage presence, wearing designs ranging from haute couture to unconventional materials. Following Chichin’s death from cancer in 2007, Ringer pursued solo work and later joined the electro-tango band Plaza Francia as lead vocalist.
Beyond music, Ringer maintained a connection to theatrical performance and arts. She received the award for best female artist at the Victoires de la Musique in 2012, France’s equivalent to a Grammy Award. Later in life, she performed poetry recitations and continued recording, with her final concerts taking place earlier this year. She is survived by her daughters Simone and Ginger, and her son Raoul.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI