‘Searching for Sugarman’: Sixto Rodriguez’s Obscure to Icon Journey

By ⋅ July 20, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Sixto Rodriguez. (Photo: Publicity image for Searching for Sugerman)

Sixto Rodriguez. (Photo: Publicity image for Searching for Sugerman)

The new documentary “Searching for Sugarman” tells the story of musician Sixto Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a Detroit area singer, recorded an album in 1970 and soon dropped into obscurity in the US after that.

But in South Africa, Rodriguez is a household name. He became part of the counterculture anthems and an icon for anti-establishment South Africans through songs like “Crucify Your Mind.”

The documentary, directed by Malik Bendjelloul, traces Rodriguez’s fascinating journey from being a forgotten star to an anti-Apartheid icon.

Anchor Marco Werman talks to Rodriguez to about his unorthodox career path and how the new documentary brought him back into the US spotlight.


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Discussion

5 comments for “‘Searching for Sugarman’: Sixto Rodriguez’s Obscure to Icon Journey”

  • http://www.facebook.com/mark.leuner Mark Leuner

    WOW you took me back to my childhood in a flash. I had this record as a teenager back in South Africa in the early 70′s. I left South Africa December 28 1979 to to escape roll call for the army Jan 1 1980. I wanted to ride and show jump in uniform for my country as I was a good horse rider but my call up papers were for South West Africa, Infantry division. And that is when my life changed.     Let me know if you want to hear the rest of the story

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Jones/100003100049767 Tom Jones

    A little more of your story would be great, Mark.

    Great movie – saw it at Sundance. Very moving, and among other things it gives insight into how apartheid ‘worked’ and how a new generation overthrew it. With a little help from a few songs from Rodriguez. Awesome, hope it has good distribution, because it is a story America needs to hear at this point in history.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jeffrinna Jeff Rinna

    This is amazing.  When I was traveling Europe in ’95, I met and became friends with a young Brit named Jonathan.  He saw that I loved music (traveling with 40 cassette tapes) and gave me a song from an artist his Dad had brought to S. Africa, Rodriguez.  He told me he was a legend because of his abilities and because he died young.  I must have listened to “Sugarman” a thousand times and always wondered about this mysterious musician and his powerful lyrics…  Now this!  And, to think as a Michigan Boy, when Jonathan visited me, we were right down the road from the Man the whole time…  How ironic!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dubya-Roos/100003200748813 Dubya Roos

    Why is this guy obscure in the US? Which record execs dropped the ball?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Amanda-Dissinger/517683897 Amanda Dissinger

    Really excited to see “Searching for Sugarman” and see Rodriguez when he comes to play NYC. Such an inspiring story and inspiring music to go along with it!