Sixto Rodriguez: the life of 'Sugar Man' in photos

Singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez died at 81 in August 2023. If you haven’t seen the documentary ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ or read about his fascinating story, we give you the main points as to why his life is so unusual and why it was chosen as the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary.

His death was announced on his official site with his cause of death unknown. “It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,” the official statement read on 9th August 2023.

“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.”

The singer became known worldwide thanks to 'Searching for Sugar Man'. The film delves into his life, success, and the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his career.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

Rodriguez, born Sixto Rodriguez in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, was a talented singer-songwriter during the 1960s and 1970s. He released two albums, "Cold Fact" (1970) and "Coming from Reality" (1971), which failed to achieve commercial success in the United States.

Despite the lack of recognition, his music resonated with audiences in South Africa, where his songs became anthems for the anti-apartheid movement.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

Unbeknownst to Rodriguez, his music had become hugely popular in South Africa, with his albums selling millions of copies. However, due to the strict censorship and isolation of the country during apartheid, Rodriguez remained unaware of his fame.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

'Searching for Sugar Man' follows two South African fans, Stephen "Sugar" Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom, as they set out to uncover the truth about Rodriguez's whereabouts and what happened to him.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

The documentary reveals how Rodriguez's songs touched the hearts of many South Africans, providing solace and inspiration during a difficult period in their history.

As the search progresses, the filmmakers learn that Rodriguez had no idea about his popularity in South Africa. He continued to live a humble life in Detroit, working as a construction worker and unaware of his influence on the other side of the world.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

The documentary takes viewers on a captivating journey as the filmmakers track down Rodriguez, who was believed to be dead. The film unravels the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

'Searching for Sugar Man' ends with an emotional reunion between Rodriguez and his South African fans. The film highlights the power of music to transcend borders and the transformative effect it can have on individuals and societies.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

His popularity then soared after the release of the documentary. The success of 'Searching for Sugar Man' and Rodriguez's rediscovery in South Africa led to a resurgence of interest in his music worldwide. He went on to perform sold-out concerts in South Africa and embarked on international tours.

Of course, he was also owed all the royalties for his popularity in South Africa and, after a court case, finally got his money in 2022, at the age of 80 and a year before he died.

Photo: Still from 'Searching for Sugar Man' - StudioCanal

The impact of Rodriguez's story extends beyond the music industry. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of fame, the resilience of artists, and the ability of art to connect people across time and space.

"Searching for Sugar Man", directed by Malik Bendjelloul, won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2013.

Tragically, director Malik took his own life in 2014. Stephen, the fan from the documentary who helped find Sugar Man, found the loss of Malik hard to deal with after the entire fascinating story. He said, “The only real downside to this story is that Malik is not around to see the effect his movie had.”, according to Martin Plaut, Journalist specialising in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.

Stephen continued, “Malik was just a fun dude who came here and said, ‘I want to make this movie.’ Me and him drove around Cape Town with a camera woman shooting it… It’s so sad because he had the world at his feet and his movie helped bring Rodriguez to a whole new audience.”

Malik helped bring one of the most fascinating stories in the history of music to the forefront and gave a man recognition for years of success that he never even knew about. May Sixto Rodriguez rest in peace knowing the mystery is solved, the court case is shut and that his name will forever be etched in history.