Sixto Rodriguez passed away. Known in particular for his title sugar manthe American singer of Mexican origin died Tuesday at the age of 81, announced a press release on its official website. Information later confirmed by the artist’s daughter to several media, including the site of the World. The causes of his death have not been revealed.
The general public had discovered the music of this folk rock musician when the documentary was released Searching for Sugar Man in 2012. In this film (awarded in 2013 by an Oscar), the Swedish director Malik Bendjelloul traces the incredible story of Sixto Rodriguez. Unknown for nearly 40 years in his country, he had unknowingly become a symbol in South Africa among Afrikaner youth.
From anonymity to global success
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez was born in Detroit in the United States in 1942. He is the sixth child of many siblings, hence the name “Sixto”. He signed two albums at the very beginning of the 1970s, Cold Facts And Coming from reality, without success, then abandons the music. For nearly 40 years, the artist lived in misery and anonymity, unaware of being an icon several thousand kilometers from home. In his documentary, Malik Bendjelloul revealed in 2012 the extent that the music of Sixto Rodriguez had taken in South Africa. His lyrics, including those of his famous song sugar manwere known to a whole Afrikaner youth in the middle of Arpatheid, a singer revered for his protesting remarks.
As the site of The Obs, many rumors ran about the author of these songs, including that of a suicide during a concert. Until the day when two admirers of the artist went looking for him, the subject of the documentary Searching for Sugar Man. The film brought a huge spotlight on Sixto Rodriguez and allowed him to get on stage, forty years after recording his records.