Catherine Ringer, the Extraordinary Voice of Les Rita Mitsouko, Has Passed Away at 68

Catherine Ringer, co-founder and vocalist of French new wave duo Les Rita Mitsouko, died from cancer on September 14, 2026, at age 68. Born in 1957 to a Polish-Jewish Holocaust survivor father and architect mother, Ringer trained in theatre, dance, and music before meeting Fred Chichin in 1979. Their 1984 debut, produced by Conny Plank, established a hybrid aesthetic spanning punk, funk, cabaret, and electronic experimentation. Their breakthrough came with ‘Marcia Baïla’ (1986), a tribute to choreographer Marcia Moretto, featuring visuals by Gautier and Mugler. Subsequent albums including *The No Comprendo* (1986) with Tony Visconti consolidated their status. Beyond recordings, Les Rita Mitsouko appeared in Godard’s *Soigne ta droite* (1987) and collaborated with Sparks and Iggy Pop. Ringer’s work maintained formal playfulness while addressing serious subjects including Holocaust history, exemplifying her integration of avant-garde theatre sensibilities with pop accessibility.

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