Musician Sixto Rodríguez passed away on Tuesday, according to information published on his official website. In a brief statement, those responsible for his website bid him farewell and offered their condolences to his three daughters and his family.
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.
Rodríguez gained great popularity when an Oscar-winning documentary about his peculiar life was released in 2012. Rodriguez, who was born in Detroit to a family of Mexican descent, began making music by delving into folk rock and psychedelic rock in the late 1960s. While at first he did not get a great response from the public, his music reached outside the borders of the United States. In South Africa, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Australia, his songs captivated radio audiences.
Unaware of his fame overseas, Rodriguez continued with his life. His followers around the world hardly knew anything about him and suspected that he was dead. It wasn't until 1997 that his daughter Eva came across a South African website that was entirely devoted to her father's work. It was only then that Sixto Rodriguez realized his success outside the United States.
Following the release and success of the documentary "Searching for Sugar Man," the American and European public generated interest in the artist. From then on, Rodriguez was able to tour internationally and domestically.
