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Sixto Rodriguez, Detroit folk musician dies at 81

The Detroit News
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, the Detroit musician who was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary "Searching for Surgarman", died Tuesday, according to his family. The Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible odyssey of the Mexican-American songwriter whose two early Seventies albums bombed in America, but wound up finding a huge audience in Apartheid-era South Africa. Rodriguez had no idea he was a legend there until a group of fans found him on the Internet and brought him to the country for a series of concerts.
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, the Detroit musician who was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary "Searching for Surgarman", died Tuesday, according to his family. The Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible odyssey of the Mexican-American songwriter whose two early Seventies albums bombed in America, but wound up finding a huge audience in Apartheid-era South Africa. Rodriguez had no idea he was a legend there until a group of fans found him on the Internet and brought him to the country for a series of concerts.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez walks Motor City Brewing Works in the Cass Corridor in Detroit in 2008.
Sixto Rodriguez walks Motor City Brewing Works in the Cass Corridor in Detroit in 2008.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Mural of musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez by Elton Monroy Duran on a building at the corner of Vernor Hwy and Sharon Street in Detroit, Michigan on August 9, 2023.
Mural of musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez by Elton Monroy Duran on a building at the corner of Vernor Hwy and Sharon Street in Detroit, Michigan on August 9, 2023.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez walks through the Cass Corridor area in Detroit in 2008.
Sixto Rodriguez walks through the Cass Corridor area in Detroit in 2008.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez receives an honorary doctoral degree during Wayne State University's spring commencement in 2013.
Sixto Rodriguez receives an honorary doctoral degree during Wayne State University's spring commencement in 2013.
David Coates, The Detroit News
Regan Rodriguez fixes her dad's Swedish flag pin on his vest in 2008 after Sixto Rodriguez had just returned from playing in Sweden for a documentary film about his life.
Regan Rodriguez fixes her dad's Swedish flag pin on his vest in 2008 after Sixto Rodriguez had just returned from playing in Sweden for a documentary film about his life.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Sixto Rodriguez performs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Nov. 2, 2012.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Rodriguez takes the stage at the 2013 Coachella festival.
Rodriguez takes the stage at the 2013 Coachella festival.
Adam Graham
Mural of musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez by Elton Monroy Duran on a building at the corner of Vernor Hwy and Sharon Street in Detroit, Michigan on August 9, 2023.
Mural of musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez by Elton Monroy Duran on a building at the corner of Vernor Hwy and Sharon Street in Detroit, Michigan on August 9, 2023.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Singer and musician Sixto Rodriguez performs on stage during a concert at the Zenith on June 4, 2013 in Paris.
Singer and musician Sixto Rodriguez performs on stage during a concert at the Zenith on June 4, 2013 in Paris.
PIERRE ANDRIEU, AFP Via Getty Images
Director Malik Bendjelloul (L) and musician Sixto Rodriguez arrive at the 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at Barker Hangar on January 10, 2013 in Santa Monica, California.
Director Malik Bendjelloul (L) and musician Sixto Rodriguez arrive at the 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at Barker Hangar on January 10, 2013 in Santa Monica, California.
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Musician Sixto Rodriguez attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd St. on Jan. 8, 2013, in New York. Singer and songwriter Rodriguez, who became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugarman” has died, according to the Sugarman.org website on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, and confirmed Wednesday by his granddaughter. He was 81.
Musician Sixto Rodriguez attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd St. on Jan. 8, 2013, in New York. Singer and songwriter Rodriguez, who became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugarman” has died, according to the Sugarman.org website on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, and confirmed Wednesday by his granddaughter. He was 81.
Evan Agostini, AP