‘Sugar Man’ singer Rodriguez dies aged 81

One of music’s biggest names has led tributes after the death of Sixto Rodriguez, the elusive musician who gained a cult following in Australia.

Sixto Rodriguez performs on stage in Paris. Picture: AFP

Sixto Rodriguez, the elusive folk musician who gained a cult following in Australia after plunging into obscurity in the US, has died at the age of 81.

The news was confirmed on the official website of the Detroit-born singer, who was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.

“It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,” the official statement read.

Sixto Rodriguez, performing on stage in Paris, had a huge following in Australia. Picture: AFP

“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.”

Music legend and Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson posted a heartfelt statement to the star, who toured with him in 2015.

“I’m so sorry to hear about Sixto Rodriguez,” Wilson wrote. “He toured with us in 2015, and he was a very talented and nice man.”

I’m so sorry to hear about Sixto Rodriguez. He toured with us in 2015, and he was a very talented and nice man. Love & Mercy to Sixto’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/Wcd8KxN8oH

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 9, 2023

A 2013 Associated Press story referred to Rodriguez as “the greatest protest singer and songwriter that most people never heard of”.

Rodriguez launched his career in 1967 but struggled to find success in the US and was dropped by his record label.

US singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez is considered one of music’s greatest protest singers.

Sixto Rodriguez in scene from the documentary film Searching For Sugar Man.

However, his music gradually developed a cult following overseas, and his records enjoyed significant sales in Australia and South Africa.

His cult popularity in Australia led to a sellout 1979 tour while in South Africa an album went platinum as a false rumour started that he had killed himself on-stage.

He only discovered he was massively famous in South Africa — where fans considered him to be bigger than Elvis Presely — in 1997 when his daughter found information online.

He then went on tour in the country.

His life became the subject of the 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which won the Oscar for best documentary.

Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul’s documentary told of two South African fans and their mission to seek out the fate of their musical hero and to find out if his rumoured death was true and, if not, to discover what had become of him.

Originally published as ‘Sugar Man’ singer Rodriguez dies aged 81