French singer Catherine Ringer has died aged 68 following a battle with cancer.
Ringer was the lead singer and joint-founder of French pop-rock group Les Rita Mitsouko, alongside husband and guitarist Fred Chichin.
Following Chichin’s death in 2007, she embarked on a solo career, collaborating with artists including Sparks and Iggy Pop.
Her family confirmed news of her death in a statement to French outlet Le Monde on Tuesday.
Emmanuel de Buretel, founder of French music label Because Music, said France had lost “one of its greatest singers of the past fifty years”.
He said in a statement: “This extraordinary artist was an example to others.
“Always completely devoted to her art, she was a lyricist, composer, performer and producer. But above all, she remained deeply devoted to her family.
“Catherine possessed a rare combination of improvisation and hard work, self-questioning and risk-taking. She moved forward with complete freedom, never seeking to be opportunistic or to follow trends.
“Her modesty, independence and exacting standards made her a unique and profoundly sincere artist.”
He continued: “The general public often knows Catherine through a handful of popular songs that brought several generations together. But her artistic legacy is far broader.
“She leaves behind a poetic, musical and free-spirited body of work that deserves to place her among the great artists of French chanson.”
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