Rita rescued our adolescence, or, to explain Rita...

In our time... The phrase refers to two things: we are old and, back when we were teenagers....

But back when we were teenagers (those of us over 60), Rita Lee, the embodiment of youthfulness as she became in the 1980s, didn't yet exist for us. Our Rita Lee was the hippie bride, part of the group "Os Mutantes," a band that was both crazy and fun-loving, frequenting the Record festivals.

That was our scene, our crowd, the festival crew. Our parties were themed. The music had a touch of sadness, protest, indignation, and the gatherings ended up being more than just parties. They were moments to cry over our sorrows, the wage stagnation, the losses, especially of freedom. Our adolescence was spent to the sound of marching bands, the clanging of cymbals, and the roll of the snare drum.

Our youthful spirit was squeezed between bossa nova and protest songs. Our adolescence was either militant or alienated. It was black or white. For or against. Right or left. And then there were the "nothings."

The 1980s brought us the "New Republic," which was born old, suffering from diverticulitis and other "itis" conditions. Freshness came with Rita Lee. Rita gave us true adolescence. She renewed us, throwing our generation – then in our 30s – back onto the dance floor, later at Circo Voador, but always to the sound of her compositions. We finally became teenagers. We, who were the "black sheep," apologized to the fuss and began to crave you.

We plunged into your bubble bath, dared to use "Perfume Spray," and recreated ourselves, young at last. Truly joyful, aboard songs that were less committed, but which finally revealed freedom to us. That was your policy: to do things your way, to be who you wanted to be, and to allow us, now yes, to be teenagers. Thank you, Rita Lee!