SINGER-SONGWRITER Sixto Díaz Rodríguez, subject of the Searching for Sugar Man documentary, has died at 81.
“It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,” the statement read.
“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 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man followed the folk musician's journey from obscurity to international recognition decades after he made two albums in Detroit in the early 1970s.
Malik Bendjelloul's film, written and directed by him, received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 85th Academy Awards ceremony in 2013.
Follow our Rodriguez death updates blog for news and updates…
- By Jennifer Korn
Fans mourn singer
Fans are sharing tributes on social media as they learn of Rodriguez's death.
- By Sophie Gable
Rodriguez left the music scene
After his first two albums failed to see commercial success, Rodriguez left the music scene.
He previously said that after his second album was released in 1971, he "went back to work."
Rodriguez worked on sites doing demolition and home renovation, according to Variety.
- By Amanda Castro
Call it a comeback
After his albums flopped, Rodriguez received a call in 1979 asking him to perform in Australia.
He went again in 1981, per The Detroit News.
"I thought they were strange flukes," said Rodriguez about the situation.
- By Sophie Gable
Rise to fame in the 1970s
Although Rodriguez wasn't widely known in today's music scene, the singer-songwriter made head waves in the 1970s.
While working on an assembly line in Detroit and playing music in clubs, he was discovered by producers Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey, per Variety.
His debut album Cold Fact was released in 1970.
- By Amanda Castro
Rodriguez had two albums flop
In the early 1970s, Rodriguez recorded two albums in Detroit called Cold Fact (1970) and Coming From Reality (1971).
Both failed commercially in the United States.
Rodriguez believed it was the end of his musical journey. He started a family while working day labor.
He graduated from Wayne State University with a philosophy degree and became politically involved.
He ran for mayor, municipal council, and state senate without success.
Eventually, Rodriguez became a Cass Corridor figure, and he was frequently seen going around the area dressed in black and carrying a guitar bag over his shoulder.
- By Jennifer Korn
Rodriguez's albums
The late songwriter's albums include:
- Cold Fact
- Coming From Reality
- Rodriguez Alive
- Live Fact
- Rodriguez Rocks: Live in Australia
- After the Fact
- At His Best
- The Best of Rodriguez
- Sugarman: The Best of Rodriguez
- Searching for Sugarman
- Coffret Rodriguez
'A great odyssey'
Rodriguez told The Detroit News in a 2008 interview: "It's been a great odyssey.
"All those years, you know, I always considered myself a musician. But, reality happened."
On Searching for Sugar Man
The 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man followed Rodríguez's journey from obscurity to international recognition decades after he made two albums in Detroit in the early 1970s.
Malik Bendjelloul's film, written and directed by him, received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 85th Academy Awards ceremony in 2013.
Rodriguez was featured in a documentary
Rodriguez was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man in 2012.
The film follows to of his fans in search of the singer-songwriter after he was rumored to have died in South Africa.
- By Jennifer Korn
Rodriguez leaves behind three daughters
Sixto Rodriguez is survived by his daughters: Eva, Sandra, and Regan.
He often took his family on the road with him, and they were involved in his career.
At the time of his death, he was separated from his second wife, Konny Koskos.
- By Sophie Gable
Full public statement
Rodriguez’s death was announced on his official website this morning.
The statement read: “It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today.
“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.”
- By Jennifer Korn
More about Sixto Rodriguez
The 81-year-old singer-songwriter was from Detroit, Michigan.
He was the sixth child of Mexican immigrant parents.
He attended Wayne State University.
- By Sophie Gable
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez dead
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has died at the age of 81.
His official website confirmed the news this morning.
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