A long line stretched from early in the morning in front of the building located in the Ibirapuera park of the metropolis, where Lee herself had decided to be veiled in the presence of the public, according to relatives told local media.
The singer “represents the greatest female symbol of national rock; she was a woman ahead of her time, a genius,” Barbarhat Sueyassu, a 27-year-old influencer waiting outside the planetarium, told AFP.
Born in Sao Paulo, Lee had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.
Under the circular roof of the planetarium, hundreds of people filed past the box to bid the last farewell to the Brazilian, who broke the mold throughout her career.
Some did it in silence and crying; others, singing some of his songs. Several carried posters and portraits to honor the one who was a pioneer in the music scene.
Slim and with red-haired bangs, Lee drew audiences in with her irreverence and became an icon of Brazilian rock.
“I met Rita in 1991 and my life was transformed. He had that gift of transforming people’s lives for the better; he built bridges between people,” said Luis Augusto, a 51-year-old chef who attended the wake.
Lee used to wear extravagant outfits and colorful crystal glasses that identified her.
“I am a fan of Rita Lee. Everyone stares at these glasses that look like hers,” said Nelson De Melo, 55, a hotel employee, showing off her oval-shaped glasses with red lenses.
After the wake, the artist’s body will be cremated in an intimate ceremony.
The entrance Hundreds say goodbye in Sao Paulo to the “queen” of Brazilian rock Rita Lee was first published on newspaper TODAY.
