Sad news broke on Wednesday that Sixto Rodriguez, the talented singer-songwriter from Detroit, has passed away at the age of 81. The announcement was made on Rodriguez’s official website and social media pages, expressing deep condolences to his daughters and entire family.
Born on July 10, 1942, Rodriguez grew up in a working-class Mexican family in Detroit. Despite his undeniable musical talents, his songs, which reflected the struggles of the working class during a time of social unrest, failed to gain traction in the United States. Consequently, Rodriguez decided to step away from music and focus on different endeavors in Detroit. In 1981, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wayne State University and even attempted to enter the political arena but was unsuccessful.
What Rodriguez didn’t know was that his music had struck a chord with an eager audience, albeit outside of his home country. His songs resonated strongly with young South Africans who were fighting against apartheid. However, due to the lack of internet accessibility, these international fans knew very little about their beloved artist. In fact, many believed he had passed away due to his absence from the music scene.
In the late 1990s, a determined South African indie record store owner named Stephen Segerman, who was nicknamed “Sugar Man” after one of Rodriguez’s songs, set out on a mission to find the elusive musician. This compelling journey was captured in Malik Bendjelloul’s documentary, Searching for Sugar Man, which debuted in 2012. The film gained global acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and introduced Rodriguez to the American audience. With a newfound following, Rodriguez was able to headline tours in his own country, and as recently as 2018, he continued to perform live.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2012, Rodriguez expressed his appreciation for his sudden rise to fame, acknowledging the impact made by Malik Bendjelloul’s documentary. He considered himself fortunate and cherished every moment of his newfound recognition. It’s safe to say that Rodriguez’s music will continue to leave a lasting legacy.
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