Sugar Man singer Sixto Rodriguez dies after lengthy career
The beloved Sugar Man singer Sixto Rodriguez has died after a career that inspired an Oscar-winning documentary.
Cult favourite singer-songwriter Rodriguez has died after an unlikely career gained him fans across the world.
His official website confirmed the 81-year-old‘s death on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,” the website stated.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters – Sandra, Eva and Regan – and to all his family.
“May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace.”
While the cause of his death remains unknown, Rodriguez had suffered a serious stroke in recent years.
The musician was the subject of 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which captured the hearts and attention of millions around the world.
The documentary focuses on Rodriguez’s life and the search for him and was directed by Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul.
Having failed to sell many copies of his first two albums in the US in the 1970s, the Michigan-born Rodriguez gave up his dream as a musician and turned to manual work.
However, Rodriguez went on to discover years later that his music had gained popularity elsewhere in Botswana, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Rodriguez toured Australia in 1979 tour before disappearing from the spotlight for many years.
He decided to hit the stage again after his daughter discovered he had a cult following online in South Africa in 1997.
His most popular song, Sugar Man, was covered by Paolo Nutini and South African band Just Jinger.
The original song was also sampled by Nas.
Rodriguez later charted in the US for the first time after the 2012 documentary was released.
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