One half of the French art-pop duo Les Rita Mitsouko, Catherine Ringer, who has died aged 68 of cancer, was a bestselling pop star with a style that was hard to define; as the lead vocalist who also played multiple instruments, she could switch from synth-pop and rock to chanson and tango. Celebrated in her native country for her ability to surprise, she was an actor and dancer who mixed music with visual arts and poetry.
Although she and her partner, Fred Chichin, only occasionally performed outside mainland Europe, Les Rita Mitsouko worked with the American band Sparks (who called Ringer “one of a kind – a true force of nature”), as well as Iggy Pop and David Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti.
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