Les Rita Mitsouko

Infobox musical artist
Name = Les Rita Mitsouko

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Img_capt = Les Rita Mitsouko at the Eurockéennes 2007
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 1980 — 2008
Origin = Paris, France
Genre = alternative rock
chanson
pop rock
Label = Because
Delabel
Virgin France
Associated_acts = Spratz
Current_members = Fred Chichin
Catherine Ringer
URL = [http://www.ritamitsouko.com www.ritamitsouko.com]

Les Rita Mitsouko was a French pop rock group formed by guitarist Fred Chichin and singer Catherine Ringer. [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727592/bio] The duo first performed as Rita Mitsouko at Gibus Club, Paris in 1980. They went on to become one of the most successful musical acts of the 1980s in France and one of the most unconventional and inspiring bands in french music .

History

Rita Mitsouko began performing in the early 1980s in alternative spaces such as the Pali-Kao, a squatted factory building in Belleville, Paris.

The band first achieved major popular success in 1985, with the release of the second single from their first album: "Marcia Baïla" rose to number 2 on the French record charts that summer. Philippe Gautier directed a vibrant and widely viewed music video to accompany the record. "Marcia Baïla" is an homage to Argentinian choreographer and dancer Marcia Moretto, with whom Catherine Ringer had studied and performed in the 1970s. Moretto died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 32.

"Rita Mitsouko" was a creative and eccentric debut album, combining elements of punk, rock, synth pop and jazz. Coupled with the band's colorful, wild, over-the-top image, it brought Rita Mitsouko to the attention of some important anglophone listeners.

American record producer and musician Tony Visconti produced the band's next two albums, "The No Comprendo" and "Marc et Robert," helping to polish and perfect their sound. These two albums feature both French and English lyrics. The most successful singles from these albums were "C'est comme ça" and '"Andy."

The American band Sparks collaborated with Les Rita Mitsouko on "Marc et Robert." Russell Mael sings lead vocals with Catherine Ringer on three of the album's tracks, "Singing in the Shower," "Live in Las Vegas," and "Hip Kit."

Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed most of Les Rita Mitsouko's music videos in the 1980s.

Jean-Luc Godard's 1987 feature film "Soigne ta droite" incorporates documentary footage of the band's "The No Comprendo" recording sessions.

In 1993, the video of "Y'a d'la haine," from the album "Système D," was awarded Clip of the Year by MTV Europe.

On "Système D" Catherine Ringer sings a duet, "My Love Is Bad," with Iggy Pop. "Variéty" also includes a vocal duo in which Ringer is joined by guest musician Serj Tankian (from System of a Down).

Les Rita Mitsouko's album "Variéty" was released in 2007 in both French and in English "(Variety)" versions; it was produced by Mark Plati.

On Wednesday November 28th 2007, Fred Chichin died from cancer while the band had just cancelled their previous concert dates in Paris. He was only diagnosed with the disease two months before.

It was announced on the 8th of February 2008 on the band's website that Catherine Ringer is due to resume touring this April following the sad death of her partner and Les Rita Mitsouko collaborator, Fred Chichin. Catherine will pick up with the band that she and Fred put together for the release of their latest album 'Variety' on Because Music. She will perform the songs written by herself and Fred for Les Rita Mitsouko, including some of their latest treasures, and more to discover.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards

* 1987 : Grand Prix of the Charles-Cros Academy
* 1987 : Victoires De La Musique: "Best Album of the Year" for "The No Comprendo"
* 1987 : Victoires De La Musique: "Best video of the Year" for "C'est comme ça"
* 1990 : Bus Steel of the decade 80 for throughout their work.
* 1994 : MTV Europe Music Awards: "Best video of the Year" for "Y'a d'la haine".
* 2001 : Price Roger-Seiller of "Best French Band"
* 2001 : Spring prices SACEM.

External links

* [http://www.ritamitsouko.com Official Les Rita Mitsouko website]
* [http://www.rfimusique.com/siteen/biographie/biographie_6063.asp Biography of Les Rita Mitsouko] , from Radio France Internationale
* [http://www.ritamitsouko.org/menuUK2.htm Extensive Rita Mitsouko fanpage with many images]
* [http://www.myspace.com/lesritamitsouko MySpace page]
* [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Rita_Mitsouko#Biographie] Wikipedia page in French with more links
* [http://www.dailymotion.com/comments/video/x2i4dh_les-rita-mitsouko-ding-dang-dong-ri_music/3 Video to "Ding Dang Dong"]

References