'Sugar Man’ singer Rodriguez dies at 81
The legendary 'Sugar Man' singer Sixto Rodriguez has passed away at the age of 81.
It was confirmed on the official Sugar Man website, Sugarman.org, that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, better known by only his surname, passed away on Tuesday.
"It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez passed away earlier today.
"We've confirmed with his daughter, Sandra, that he passed away yesterday, 8 August, at 17:30 Detroit time.
"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," read the statement.
Rodrigues was 81.
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According to the statement, Rodriguez had been ill for some time before his death after suffering a stroke.
The Detroit-born singer was best known for his legendary hit, ‘Sugar Man’, and later became the subject of the ‘Searching For Sugar Man’ documentary.
The 2012 Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of two South African fans who set out to find Rodriguez after the rumoured death of the American musician.
Rodriguez launched his career in 1967 but struggled to succeed in the US, ultimately leading to him being dropped by his music label and quitting music.
Little did he know that his music had gained much traction abroad, especially in South Africa.
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The Mexican-American only discovered his success in South Africa when his eldest daughter, Eva, came across a website dedicated to him in 1997.
After contacting the website, Rodriguez went on his first South African tour in the late 1990s.
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