Rodriguez, the Detroit singer-songwriter whose unusual rise to fame was documented in the Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man, has died at the age of 81.
Sixto Rodriguez was born in Detroit to Mexican immigrant parents. He recorded two albums that were largely ignored in the U.S., 1970’s Cold Fact and 1971’s Coming to Reality, before leaving his musical aspirations behind for a more practical blue-collar existence, working a production line job. He ran for public office multiple times, including the position of Mayor of Detroit in 1981.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, Rodriguez’s music became extremely popular in the country of South Africa, where his songs became anti-Apartheid anthems. He was considered to be one of the great songwriters alongside Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, but unfounded rumors of his death, including mysterious tales of a dramatic onstage suicide by self-immolation, misled fans to think he had passed away.
Rodriguez 2012 60 Minutes Interview
Both Rodriguez and his fans were shocked and delighted when the confusion was resolved, and in 1998, he came out of retirement and went on his first tour of the country, performing his songs to sold-out stadiums packed with screaming fans. His triumphant resurgence helped him find an audience at home in the U.S. His two albums were reissued in 2009, and in 2012, the world got to hear his inspiring and unusual story in Malik Bendjelloul’s hit documentary Searching for Sugar Man. Rodriguez was invited to perform on The Late Show With David Letterman, headlined New York’s Beacon Theatre, performed at music festivals, and toured the world.
The story of Sixto Rodriguez, like the man himself, is truly one of a kind. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra, Eva, and Regan.
Searching for Sugar Man Trailer
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