That is the story of Searching for Sugar Man, a 85 minute documentary feature nominated for best in it's category at tonight's Oscar presentation. It is not hard to think of possibilities that make the true story plausible. In the late sixties and early seventies Motown still ruled the Motor City and nationwide there were many talented artists and groups vying get to their music published to compete for shelf space in stores.
Sixto (pronounced (Seesto) Diaz Rodriguez had talent and got two albums published. They didn't sell well in this county and the publisher didn't encourage Rodriguez to continue. Rodriquez had success with his music in South Africa in the seventies where his anti establishment, pro urban working class lyrics become a large portion of the anti apartheid anthem. In South Africa Rodriquez is often compared to the likes of Dylan, the Beatles, and even Elvis. South African Human rights activist Steve Biko was reported to be a fan
How popular Rodriquez was in the Southern Hemisphere in the 1970's is a subject of debate. Critics of the documentary say he was never as far removed from the music scene as the film implies. One album did go platinum in South Africa and he toured in Botswana, Australia, and New Zealand. Proponents of the documentary that is hardly the top of the music world.
In 1981 Rodriguez graduated from Wayne State's Monteith College. He later ran for public office in Detroit but was not successful . He also held a series of urban construction jobs like building demolition which did not pay particularly well. In 1980's and 1990's his music activity diminished as well. He was not aware of his popularity in South Africa until a daughter happened on a South African website that purported to be looking for him. A widely accepted rumor in that country was that Rodriguez had died on stage years prior.
If you are interested in seeing the documentary, Searching for Sugar Man it is currently playing at
The full movie is also available at Netflix (no streaming. Just the disk by mail) or on You Tube for $3.99 by clicking here,
If you would like to see a You Tube 14 minute clip about Rodriguez and the documentary which appeared on CBS 60 minutes click here .
Will the documentary win an Oscar ? In South Africa they are confident it will. In this country the Rodriguez story is certainly popular but the competition for the Academy award is this year is rather fierce. If it loses it won't be anything new. As the sayings go a prophet is not recognized in it's own land but it is hard to keep a good man down.
Sixto (pronounced (Seesto) Diaz Rodriguez had talent and got two albums published. They didn't sell well in this county and the publisher didn't encourage Rodriguez to continue. Rodriquez had success with his music in South Africa in the seventies where his anti establishment, pro urban working class lyrics become a large portion of the anti apartheid anthem. In South Africa Rodriquez is often compared to the likes of Dylan, the Beatles, and even Elvis. South African Human rights activist Steve Biko was reported to be a fan
How popular Rodriquez was in the Southern Hemisphere in the 1970's is a subject of debate. Critics of the documentary say he was never as far removed from the music scene as the film implies. One album did go platinum in South Africa and he toured in Botswana, Australia, and New Zealand. Proponents of the documentary that is hardly the top of the music world.In 1981 Rodriguez graduated from Wayne State's Monteith College. He later ran for public office in Detroit but was not successful . He also held a series of urban construction jobs like building demolition which did not pay particularly well. In 1980's and 1990's his music activity diminished as well. He was not aware of his popularity in South Africa until a daughter happened on a South African website that purported to be looking for him. A widely accepted rumor in that country was that Rodriguez had died on stage years prior.
Monteith College Alumni in the News:
Sixto Rodriguez (PhB '81)
New York Times (July 20,
2012): A Real-Life Fairy Tale, Long in the Making and Set to Old
Tunes
Wall Street Journal (July 20,
2012): A Rock 'n' Roll Mystery
Huffington Post (April 25,
2012): 'Searching for Sugar Man': The Unbelievable True Story of
Rodriguez
If you are interested in seeing the documentary, Searching for Sugar Man it is currently playing at
If you would like to see a You Tube 14 minute clip about Rodriguez and the documentary which appeared on CBS 60 minutes click here .
Will the documentary win an Oscar ? In South Africa they are confident it will. In this country the Rodriguez story is certainly popular but the competition for the Academy award is this year is rather fierce. If it loses it won't be anything new. As the sayings go a prophet is not recognized in it's own land but it is hard to keep a good man down.
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