"Sugar Man" Sixto Rodriguez: The Musician Who Became a Legend But Didn't Know It

People usually take a long and thorny path to fame. And when they lose popularity, they often cling to it, trying to stay afloat at any cost. But sometimes it happens differently. Let's take the story of the American poet and musician Sixto Rodriguez. For 30 years, he did not even suspect that he had become a legend and an idol of youth. Millions of people listened to his songs, and every morning he went to a construction site. There he broke down walls with a sledgehammer and took out construction waste.

Sixto Rodriguez was born on July 10, 1942, in a poor area of Detroit. His parents were immigrants from Mexico. The boy was named Sixto, a corruption of the Spanish word for "sixth" (sexto), because he was the sixth child in the family. Detroit at that time was a harsh industrial city, and the life of Mexican immigrants was not easy. Rodriguez worked in construction and demolished old houses from his youth, but his soul belonged to music.

In the late 1960s, Rodriguez began writing songs, drawing inspiration from the counterculture, the fight for justice, and the lives of ordinary people. His lyrics were poetic and sharply socially critical, and his style was often compared to the work of Bob Dylan. Everything he touched acquired vivid poetic images and easily found a response in the hearts of listeners. In 1967, under the pseudonym Rod Riguez, he released his first single. Later, under his own name, he released two albums: Cold Fact (1970) and Coming from Reality (1971).

Rodriguez seemed to have everything he needed to become a star: talent, charisma, and the backing of producers who had worked with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. But his albums flopped in the U.S. The public didn’t accept his music, and the label dropped him. Disappointed, Sixto returned to physical labor. In 1976, he bought a dilapidated house in Detroit for $50 and began to live a modest life.

In 1981, Rodriguez earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Monteith College, and in 1989, he even tried to run for the Detroit City Council. But music was a thing of the past. However, fate had a surprise in store for him. While Rodriguez worked in construction, his songs were winning hearts on the other side of the world.

In South Africa, where apartheid was raging at the time, Cold Fact became a sensation. Bootleg copies of the record sold out in huge numbers, and the song Sugar Man became an unofficial anthem for those fighting racial segregation. South Africans put Rodriguez on par with Dylan and Hendrix, but knew almost nothing about him. Rumors surfaced that he had committed suicide on stage. These stories only reinforced his mythical image.

By the end of the 70s, the popularity of the American musician began to worry the South African authorities. The song Sugar Man was even banned from the radio. In some cities, police officers went into record stores and scratched the discs with this composition. It was officially claimed that the song contained hints of drug use. But such bans only fueled interest: the stronger the pressure, the more Rodriguez's popularity grew. Of course, such popularity did not bring the musician any income. Sixto, as always, worked hard physically and almost abandoned music.

In 1997, Sixto's life changed forever. His daughter Eva stumbled upon a fan site dedicated to her father on the Internet. It turned out that in South Africa, he was a real rock star! Sixto Rodriguez connected with his fans in South Africa and went on tour there in 1998. He traveled all over the country and performed at the biggest concert venues. After that, he went to Australia and made his fans happy there too. Thousands of people greeted him with full houses, and he, modest and a little embarrassed, could not believe what was happening.

His concerts in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were a triumph, and his music began to find new listeners around the world.

The real breakthrough came in 2012, when Swedish director Malik Bendjelloul released the documentary Searching for Sugar Man. The film told the story of two South African fans, Stephen Segerman and Craig Bartholomew, who decided to find out the truth about Rodriguez’s fate. The film won an Oscar in 2013 and brought Sixto worldwide fame.

After the film's release, Rodriguez performed at major festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury. His songs were featured on new playlists, and his story inspired millions of people. Despite his success, he remained true to himself: he lived in the same house in Detroit and donated most of his earnings to charity.

Sixto Rodriguez passed away on August 8, 2023, at the age of 81, leaving behind three daughters and a rich musical legacy. His story is a reminder that talent can find recognition even after decades. Rodriguez’s songs continue to inspire, and the film Searching for Sugar Man has become a classic documentary.

Renowned South African musician David Scott said on the day of his death:

The life of Sixto Rodriguez teaches us to value our work, even if the world is not yet ready to accept it. This amazing man is not only a musician, but also a symbol of hope, resilience and faith in miracles.

What story about unexpected success do you know? Share it in the comments!